SPOTLIGHT: Tougher penalties for HIPAA violations

Federal civil monetary penalties for HIPAA privacy and security breaches are about to go up, to as high as $1.5 million, thanks to provisions in the HITECH section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The new rules take effect Feb. 17, the first anniversary of the passage of the stimulus legislation. Under the new rules, penalties will vary based on whether or not the violation was willful. Fines for willful neglect will start at $10,000, compared to $100 for more benign cases. FierceHealthcare

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