Last Updated: Nov 8, 2023

The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published two resource documents to help providers communicate telehealth privacy and security risks to their patients.  The documents are entitled “Educating Patients about Privacy and Security Risks to Protected Health Information when Using Remote Communication Technologies for Telehealth” and “Telehealth Privacy and Security Tips for Patients”. 

Patients may not want to participate in telehealth services due to privacy and/or security risks.  These documents highlight the importance of continuing the use of telehealth and, at the same time, help communicate the risks.  The two documents can be found at these links: 

The Guidance on Educating Patients about Privacy and Security Risks to Protected Health Information when Using Remote Communication Technologies for Telehealth may be found at https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/resource-health-care-providers-educating-patients/index.html.

The Guidance on Telehealth Privacy and Security Tips for Patients may be found at https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/telehealth-privacy-security/index.html.

For further details and background on the resources, please visit the following page from HHS: HHS OCR Resources for Health Care Providers and Patients/Telehealth Privacy and Security