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02/07/2022
HHS Updated Guidance: Civil Rights Protections for People with Disabilities for Healthcare Providers
VGM Offers Insight for HME Providers
The following is an article from the VGM Government Relations Team:
On February 4, 2022, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued guidance to health care providers on civil rights protections for people with disabilities. VGM has received several inquires as to the more specific nature of the guidance.
To be clear, the release is an update of an earlier (March 28, 2020) HHS bulletin, which included information relative to civil rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019.
The bulletin noted “…in light of the Public Health Emergency concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS is providing this bulletin to ensure that entities covered by civil rights authorities keep in mind their obligations under laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, and exercise of conscience and religion in HHS-funded programs.”
“Entities covered” are, among others, government officials and healthcare providers including durable medical equipment suppliers.
