What You Should Know About OCR HIPAA Privacy Rule Guidance Materials

Be aware of misleading marketing claims

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has made available on its website guidance materials on the Privacy Rule as a service to the public to help covered entities comply with the rule and to help consumers know how they are protected by the Privacy Rule. All items on our Educational Materials page (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/assist.html) have either been produced directly by OCR or have been reviewed by OCR prior to their publication. OCR also provides links to other useful sites, but does not review or endorse the materials found on those sites.

We have received reports that some consultants and education providers have claimed that they or their materials or systems are endorsed or required by HHS or, specifically, by OCR. In fact, HHS and OCR do not endorse any private consultants' or education providers' seminars, materials or systems, and do not certify any persons or products as "HIPAA compliant." The Privacy Rule does not require attendance at any specific seminars. All of OCR's materials are available free on our web site.

If you believe anyone is making false or misleading representations about HHS or OCR in regard to HIPAA training and compliance, please notify us via email at ocrcomplaint@hhs.gov or by postal mail at Office for Civil Rights, 200 Independence Ave, S.W., Room 509F, Washington, D.C. 20201.