HIPAA Compliance Insights

HIPAA Security Rule

Security Safeguards HIPAA: What OCR Expects in 2024

In February 2024, OCR settled with a healthcare system for $4.75 million after investigators found the organization had failed to implement even basic security

Carl B. Johnson · Mar 14, 2020

HIPAA Compliance

Storage of Medical Records HIPAA Rules You Must Follow

In 2023, OCR settled with a New England dermatology practice for $300,640 after an unencrypted thumb drive containing the protected health information of over

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 27, 2020

Subcontractor BAA

Subcontractor BAA: What HIPAA Requires Down the Chain

In 2016, OCR settled with a business associate for $650,000 after a subcontractor experienced a breach affecting over 11,000 patients — and no business

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 27, 2020

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule: What You Must Know

In 2024, OCR settled with a New England dermatology practice for $300,640 after an investigation revealed the organization had no policies implementing the Privacy

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 27, 2020

Sunshine Act

Sunshine Act and HIPAA: What Covered Entities Must Know

In 2023, CMS published over 12.9 billion dollars in physician payment data through the Open Payments database — the public-facing arm of the Sunshine Act.

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 27, 2020

Telemedicine

Telemedicine and HIPAA Compliance: What Providers Must Know

When OCR announced in late 2023 that the COVID-era telehealth enforcement discretion would not last forever, many healthcare organizations realized they had been operating telemedicine

Carl B. Johnson · Jan 26, 2020

Texting and HIPAA

Texting and HIPAA Compliance: What Your Organization Must Know

In 2023, a dermatology practice in Connecticut paid $150,000 to settle an OCR investigation that traced back, in part, to unsecured electronic communications — including

Carl B. Johnson · Jan 26, 2020

HIPAA Compliant Texting

Texting HIPAA Compliant: What Your Organization Must Know

In 2023, a dental practice in Texas paid a $50,000 settlement to OCR after a staff member texted appointment reminders containing diagnostic codes to

Carl B. Johnson · Jan 26, 2020

Texting Patient Information

Texting Patient Information HIPAA Rules You Must Follow

In December 2023, a small dental practice in Texas agreed to a $50,000 settlement with OCR after an investigation revealed staff members had been

Carl B. Johnson · Jan 26, 2020

HIPAA Privacy Rule

What Are HIPAA Privacy Rules? A Practical Guide

In February 2024, OCR settled with a Louisiana medical group for $480,000 after the office failed to provide a patient timely access to her

Carl B. Johnson · Jan 21, 2020

Protected Health Information

What Info Is Protected by HIPAA: A Practical Guide

In 2023, OCR settled with a dental practice in New England for $23,000 after an investigation revealed the organization had disclosed patient appointment information

Carl B. Johnson · Jan 21, 2020

Business Associate Agreement

What Is a BAA for HIPAA? Your Complete Guide

In June 2023, OCR settled with a dental practice management company for $350,000 after discovering the organization had failed to execute proper agreements with

Carl B. Johnson · Jan 21, 2020