As reported on our sister blog, http://www.lifescienceslegalupdate.com/, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has made a number of recent announcements regarding HIPAA Privacy Rule implementation. First, OCR has issued guidance on how the changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule’s marketing provisions under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act and the January 25, 2013 “Omnibus Rule” apply to refill reminders and other communications about current prescriptions for drugs or biologics.  Second, OCR has delayed until further notice enforcement of the requirement that certain HIPAA-covered laboratories revise their notices of privacy practices to comply with the Omnibus Rule. Third, OCR has released resources to assist law enforcement and emergency planners when addressing information-sharing that may be subject to the HIPAA Privacy Rule.  Finally, OCR has released model Notices of Privacy Practices that health care providers and health plans may use to communicate with their patients and plan members about their privacy practices and their patients’ privacy rights with respect to their personal health information.