That would be a fair inference. As discussed here, Section 13411 of HITECH Subtitle D requires that HHS conduct mandatory audits (emphasis added).
The Secretary shall provide for periodic audits to ensure that covered entities and business associates that are subject to the requirements of this subtitle and subparts C (HIPAA Security Rule) and E (HIPAA Prrivacy Rule) of part 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, as such provisions are in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act, comply with such requirements.
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Announcement
August 3, 2009
HHS is expanding its health information privacy enforcement team.
These new positions are located in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of the Secretary, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Office of the Deputy Director Health Information Privacy (ODDHIP). OCR provides the oversight, leadership, and coordination necessary to ensure that individuals have nondiscriminatory access to HHS services or programs and that the privacy of their health information is protected. The Division of Health Information Privacy enforces the HIPAA Privacy Rule and the confidentiality provisions of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act.
For more information on these available positions, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/ and enter the corresponding job announcement number.
Titles and job announcement numbers:
Health Information Privacy Specialist, GS-301-13/14 HHS-OS-14-2009-0012
Health Information Privacy Specialist, GS-301-13/14 HHS-OS-14-2009-0013
The open period for these positions is Friday, July 31, 2009 to Thursday, August 13, 2009.
For more information about the health information privacy activities of OCR, visit our web site at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/index.html.
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