Office for Civil Rights (OCR) | Practical Law

Office for Civil Rights (OCR) | Practical Law

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Practical Law Glossary Item w-031-0163 (Approx. 3 pages)

Glossary

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

A component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that is responsible for enforcing the administrative simplification rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). These HIPAA rules include the federal standards governing:
Through OCR, HHS is authorized to conduct compliance reviews and investigations of complaints alleging violations of the HIPAA rules by covered entities (CEs) and business associates (BAs). In addition, CEs and BAs must cooperate with HHS/OCR compliance reviews and investigations.
OCR also is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights, conscience, and religious freedom laws.