A single unencrypted laptop computer containing electronic protected health information (ePHI) cost The Hospice of North Idaho (HONI) $50,000. HONI agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a $50,000 fine to settle potential breaches of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)…
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) to conduct audits to ensure health care providers, health care industry organizations, and their business associates comply with HIPAA. The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) audit program scrutinizes…
The final Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rule was announced on January 17, 2013, modifying the original 1996 version. The rule becomes effective on March 26, 2013, with full compliance mandated by September 23, 2013. After that, enforcement will commence. Under the new rule, patients have new rights…