how serious are HIPAA violations taken?

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Received notice from our insurance company that private medical records of ours were accessed by an employee of the ins company (who is an RN..and an ex) what really happens to HIPAA violators? Is it all just a bag of hot air and threats or do they really take it seriously and fire the person?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Can only speak for my facility, but a HIPAA violation is an automatic dismissal.

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Because it is federally protected information, depends on how far the insurance company will bring it.

It may be difficult to obtain another position as an RN.

Not sure what people are thinking a lot of the time, as everything that is accessed leaves a distinct trail...

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husband is fairly high ranking officer in the military.. it was his military insurance info that was breached.. I was reading that it could go all the way the DoD possibly .. Wow :no:

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Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

Speaking as one of the Administration members who votes on appropriate discipline for HIPAA breaches, termination is not uncommon. It depends upon the specific factual situation. In my experience, and again depending on the fact pattern, breaches are taken pretty seriously.

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It also depends on the state (or in your case the military). In California, not only does HIPAA apply but also the state has exceeded its punishment for violators and will show no mercy.

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Specializes in Special Procedures.

Honestly, as crappy as this is, it depends on who it was that violated you. My husband's ex, who is a doctor, looked up my records for AT LEAST my demographic info (SSN, address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc etc) and while they couldn't prove that she had looked up more than that, they could definitely see that she had accessed the aforementioned stuff. I am VERY VERY suspicious that she looked into my actual records MORE than that because of very specific threats she made to me and my husband… but because of her position she simply has a permanent mark on her record, for which she wanted me to apologize to her for, because she has to "explain it at every job interview" she has to go to. So… while it is taken EXTREMELY seriously in most/some cases, for others it is swept under the rug.

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So.. the "ex" looked at the your husband's "military insurance info ". Searching for insurance information is not the same as breaching PHI. Find another way to screw the "ex".

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Deadly seriously. A facility or violator can be fined thousands of dollars, and have civil charges brought against them------ and yes, it's grounds for immediate dismissal in most facilities. The fines can exceed $ 50K in the most grievous cases.

HIPAA Violations and Enforcement

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

At the hospital I am employed in HIPAA violations are taken very seriously. I was reprimanded by the Privacy Officer for taking a picture of some training books I had piled on my desk. Just the books...No titles or pictures showing, no patient info. visible whatsoever...just thick books...I was given a very stern warning to never do that again.

ETA: It was my first day on the job and I wanted to show the hubby all the training materials I had to read.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to HIPAA forum.

Unsure if actual HIPAA breach occurred though from situation you describe

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

TRUE HIPAA violations are as serious as a heart attack.

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