Consequences for HIPAA violations can often be quite harsh. If someone has breached the HIPAA privacy regulations – even without any malicious intent, civil penalties are applicable: $100 per violation for unawareness, a minimum of $1,000 for reasonable cause, a minimum of $10,000 if willful neglect is present and then rectified, and finally, a minimum of $50,000 for individuals who act with willful neglect and ignore the issue.
| Digital ExclusiveAcupuncture Poll
The Acupuncture Poll question for November 2004 was:
What percentage of your patients do you refer out to medical doctors or chiropractors each month?
Results:

These results are based upon 605 responses. As this is a voluntary, non-scientific survey, caution should be used in generalizing the results. Here is a sample of the comments made by those who took the survey and how they voted. Some comments have been edited for brevity.
0%-20%: I rarely refer out to chiropractors or medical doctors, as I am usually a last resort to most patients that come through my door.
21%-40%: Most of my clients are referred out at some point (beyond the obligatory initial referral). However, they do not necessarily need a referral each month.
To vote in the current Acupuncture Poll, or to review comments and responses to previous poll questions, visit acupuncturetoday.com/acupuncturepoll.