American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What does the acronym OCR stand for?

1. Office of Compliance Regulations

2. Office of Clinical Research

3. Office of Civil Rights

4. Office of Cost Reduction

The correct answer is: Office of Civil Rights

The acronym OCR stands for the Office of Civil Rights. This office is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that is responsible for enforcing civil rights laws and preventing discrimination in health care and social services. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals have equal access to health care services regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex. Additionally, OCR is responsible for enforcing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations concerning the privacy and security of health information, which further emphasizes the importance of civil rights in the context of health care. Understanding what OCR represents is important for professionals in medical coding and billing, as they must comply with the regulations that protect patient rights and ensure equitable treatment across the healthcare system.