What major changes did the Omnibus Final Rule introduce regarding HIPAA?

The Omnibus Final Rule significantly expanded the liability of business associates concerning the handling of protected health information (PHI). Prior to this rule, business associates had some protections but were not directly liable under HIPAA for compliance. The Omnibus Final Rule brought business associates into the fold, making them accountable for breaches and violations of HIPAA. This means they are now directly subject to many of the same compliance requirements that apply to covered entities. This change promotes greater accountability and ensures that business associates must also implement appropriate safeguards for protecting PHI, thereby reinforcing the overall privacy and security framework established by HIPAA.

In contrast, while options like allowing patients unlimited access or eliminating the need for consent may seem appealing, they do not accurately reflect the scope of the rule changes. The HIPAA framework still maintains certain restrictions and requirements regarding patient access and consent for disclosures, and it doesn't impose unlimited access. Finally, the notion that all disclosures of PHI were restricted also does not align with the updates of the Omnibus Final Rule, which focused more on clarifying standards and improving protections rather than outright restrictions on all disclosures.