What are the potential civil penalties for HIPAA violations?

The potential civil penalties for HIPAA violations can range from $100 to $1.5 million per violation. This structure is designed to ensure that covered entities and business associates take the privacy and security of protected health information seriously. The penalties vary based on several factors, including the severity of the violation and whether it was due to willful negligence.

The minimum penalty of $100 applies to violations that are not due to willful neglect and are corrected within a specified timeframe. As the severity increases, particularly in cases of willful neglect that are not addressed appropriately, the penalties can escalate significantly, culminating in the maximum potential fine of $1.5 million for violations of the same provision in a calendar year.

This tiered approach encourages compliance by imposing significant financial consequences for violations, which ultimately helps to protect patient privacy and health information security.