HIPAA and its crippling fines, which can range from $100-$50,000 per violation, are increasing!
HHS has announced that they intend to pursue more HIPAA fines than ever. Penalties under federal health privacy laws are likely to increase substantially in the coming year. Article.
Healthcare providers and entities involved in using or disclosing health information need to take heed, before a breach of unsecured health information occurs! These penalties are not only available, but the Governments’ counsel–despite speaking on his own behalf–indicated that the impositions of fines are going to increase substantially in the coming year.
Despite the Government’s active attempts to be transparent regarding the rules, and the potential consequences, healthcare providers are still delaying the inevitable. For instance, St. Joseph Health recently took over the former Redwood Regional Medical Group’s imaging center, and in the process, a thumb drive with 33,702 patients’ data was stolen from an unlocked employee’s locker at the office. The breach affected 33,702 patients. Article.
HIPAA obligations are not new. Healthcare providers should be up to date on the requirements. Moreover, healthcare providers should be encrypting their devices to protect against a potential breach, and the resulting fines.
If you or your entity needs assistance with the intricacies of protecting and safeguarding health information, please do not hesitate to contact our office – we can help. For assistance CLICK HERE.
Get “News You Can Use” delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. Click here to Subscribe.
