In 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized the Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance rule that updated regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504 final rule).  Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision benefits and services against qualified disabled individuals for programs and activities that receive financial assistance from HHS. In addition to other changes, the Section 504 final rule instituted new accessibility requirements for web content, mobile applications, and kiosks for healthcare entities receiving federal financial assistance.  

Federal financial assistance includes grants, loans, and funds from more than 100 programs that HHS administers, including Medicare and Medicaid. HHS estimates that approximately 92% of doctors and all hospitals receive federal financial assistance and are subject to Section 504. This final rule is applicable to websites and mobile apps operated by third parties directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements on behalf of recipients of federal funding entities.  

For recipients of federal financial assistance with fifteen or more employees, the compliance date for these accessibility requirements is May 11, 2026. For recipients with fewer than fifteen employees, the compliance date is May 10, 2027.