HHS finalizes Part 2 substance use disorder rules enhancing privacy protections and care integration
Lexology February 19, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized amendments to more closely align the Part 2 substance use disorder (SUD) regulations with HIPAA. These changes have the potential to streamline compliance efforts for HIPAA-covered SUD providers. The regulations require all SUD providers to revise policies and procedures and patient consent processes, among other compliance measures. Although the updates take effect April 16, 2024, SUD providers have until February 16, 2026, to come into compliance with new requirements.
This final rule, announced by the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Office for Civil Rights (OCR), implements provisions of the March 2020 CARES Act that have important implications for SUD providers. Many of the changes...