HCR Update from Mark Sanna: After months of waiting, the federal Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights posted the final rules regarding many of the provisions created in the HITECH Act of 2009. Two primary provisions of HITECH include the expansion of HIPAA compliance to business associates (BAs) and subcontractors of BAs, as well as the Notice of Breach rules. The final rules were published in the Jan. 25, 2013 Federal Register and compliance with the new documentation and contract requirements begins March 26. After that date, HIPAA-related documents or contracts that are modified or renewed should incorporate the new provisions. However, all HIPAA-related documents and contracts, regardless of renewal or modification, must be in compliance with the new rules no later than Sept. 22, 2014. Breakthrough Coaching Members and their practice teams should view AVM 518E and download the associated documents as soon as possible.