Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or "Department") is issuing this final rule to modify its regulations to implement section 3221 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Department is issuing this final rule after careful consideration of all public comments received in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records. This final rule also makes certain other modifications to increase alignment with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule to improve workability and decrease burden on programs, covered entities, and business associates.