HHS waives HIPAA penalties in Texas

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is waiving sanctions or penalties for five Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provisions for Texas health care providers amid winter storms, according to Becker's Hospital Review. Penalties will not be imposed on health care providers or business associates in declared disaster zones, and the waiver applies for up to 72 hours after that declaration was made. Waivers include the requirement to distribute notice of privacy practices and a patient’s right to request privacy restrictions.