The OCR HIPAA Audit Program and the HIPAA Security Rule
The HITECH Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to conduct periodic audits of HIPAA covered entity and business [...]
HIPAA Audit Report: Ensuring Compliance & Protecting Patient Data
In the healthcare industry, protecting patient privacy and data security is of utmost importance. Healthcare organizations must adhere to strict regulations outlined by HIPAA to ensure patient information's [...]
Sharp HealthCare Pays $70,000 to Settle Potential Right of Access Violation
In February of 2021, Sharp HealthCare, doing business as Sharp-Rees Stealy Medical Centers (SRMC), paid $70,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights [...]
Renown Health Fined $75,000 Under HIPAA Right of Access Initiative
Not-for-profit Nevada health system Renown Health, P.C., has agreed to pay $75,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to settle a [...]
OCR 2020 and HIPAA Security Rule Violations
In 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights issued a record 19 fines for failure to comply with the HIPAA regulations. Six of [...]
First OCR Settlement Agreement of 2021 Announced
It’s not surprising that OCR kicked off 2021 by announcing yet another right of access fine. The fourteenth fine issued under OCR’s right of access initiative was a $200,000 [...]
October HIPAA Fines Reach $1.7 Million
With just three organizations fined by the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in October, the month’s HIPAA fines reached $1.7 million. More details on October HIPAA fines are [...]
Another HIPAA Right of Access Settlement Announced
HIPAA right of access fines seem to be growing on trees these days. The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced its [...]
3 Breaches, 6 Months & A $1 Million Fine: Aetna Reaches OCR Settlement for HIPAA Violations
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reached a $1,000,000 settlement with health insurer Aetna. Aetna agreed to pay this [...]
What are the Results of OCR’s HIPAA Enforcement Efforts?
OCR has conducted HIPAA enforcement by investigating and resolving over 27,109 cases by requiring changes in privacy practices and corrective actions by, or providing technical assistance to, HIPAA covered [...]
