HHS Invites Feedback on Substance Privacy Paperwork
Published Date: 1/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services wants your thoughts on a new form to protect patient privacy about substance use disorder records. If you have ideas on how to make this form easier or clearer, now’s your chance to speak up before February 12, 2026. This new info collection won’t cost you money but aims to keep sensitive health info safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Complaint Form to Protect SUD Records
The HHS Office for Civil Rights is creating a new ``Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records Complaint'' form so patients can file complaints about alleged violations of 42 CFR part 2. You can submit the form using the OCR online complaint portal, by downloading the form from OCR's website and submitting electronically, or by postal mail.
Time to File a Part 2 Complaint
HHS estimates that gathering information and completing the Part 2 complaint form will take 45 minutes per complaint. The Department estimates 1,864 complaints annually, totaling 1,398 burden hours per year (based on an assumption that 1 in 1,000 of 1,864,367 patients would file a complaint).
No Monetary Cost to Respondents
HHS states this new information collection will not cost individuals money while it aims to protect sensitive substance use disorder health information. The public may comment on the proposed collection through February 12, 2026.
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