Verisma
Compliance & Regulatory
Resources
Compliance & Regulatory Roundtable
Join us February 18, 2026 for a special interactive discussion on current regulatory topics. Seats are limited, so register today!
Regulatory Brief: Proposed Rule to Support Reproductive Health Privacy (April 2023)
Following the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs, President Biden directed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Federal Trade Commission review existing laws and regulations for opportunities to further bolster reproductive healthcare. This regulatory brief explains the April 2023 NPRM that was released as part of this initiative.
HIPAA vs. HITECH vs. Cures Act: A Fragmented Regulatory Landscape
The healthcare privacy landscape in the U.S. is fragmented, lacking a universal law and relying on a patchwork of federal and state regulations overseen by multiple agencies. This whitepaper sheds light on federal privacy laws, patient access regulations, and how the existing patchwork fails to offer comprehensive patient privacy protections.
5 Common “Tells” of a Fraudulent Request
Fraudulent requests are a growing concern with far-reaching risks, from compromising sensitive patient data to violating privacy regulations and facing potential legal consequences. We compiled a list of “red flags” for the HI community as a reference to identify and stop these attacks.
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In the News
February 10, 2026
CMS to Crack Down on ACA Plan Marketing, Tighten Income Verifications
TechTarget | CMS has proposed new 2027 marketplace benefit and payment rules aimed at strengthening program integrity and cracking down on misleading marketing by insurers, agents and brokers. The rule would ban cash incentives for enrollment, prohibit deceptive claims such as “zero-dollar” coverage, and restrict AI-generated endorsements that falsely attribute statements to public figures.
February 4, 2026
Funding Bill Extends Telehealth, Enacts PBM Reform
Healthcare Finance | President Trump signed a funding bill that ended a three-day partial government shutdown, funded HHS, extended telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities, and enacted bipartisan pharmacy benefit manager reforms. It extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027 and the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver through 2030, while requiring new HHS guidance on telehealth access for patients with limited English proficiency.
January 28, 2026
APA Plans Dynamic Update for Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual
National Public Radio | The American Psychiatric Association is planning a major overhaul of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5, transitioning it to an online “living document” for more frequent updates. This change aims to incorporate scientific advancements and address critiques about the DSM’s lack of focus on the causes of mental disorders. The APA seeks input from a broad range of stakeholders, including those with lived experiences, to ensure a comprehensive approach to mental health diagnosis and treatment.
January 22, 2026
House Passes Health Funding Package, Including PBM Reform
Fierce Healthcare | The House passed a bipartisan HHS appropriations package funding the agency through Sept. 30, including major steps toward pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform such as banning list-price–based compensation in Medicare Part D and increasing employer price transparency.
January 15, 2026
Yes, Doctors Use Emojis in Medical Records
Medpage Today | A study of 218.1 million EHR notes from Michigan Medicine (2020–2025) found that emoji use increased sharply in 2025—from 1.4 notes per 100,000 through 2024 to 10.7 per 100,000 by Q3 2025. Emojis appeared most often in patient portal messages (35.5%) and telephone encounters (28.5%), with smiley faces and emotion-related symbols making up 58.5% of usage.
Need a roadmap to maintain compliance?
Regulatory Links
HIPAA – HHS Offices for Civil Rights (OCR) and the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)
Individuals’ Right under HIPAA to Access their Health Information 45 CFR 164.524
Patient Access to Health Records
Information Related to Mental and Behavioral Health, including Opioid Overdose
Frequently asked HIPAA questions
