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 ExclusiveJohn Donald, LAc
John Donald, LAc, maintains a private practice in Issaquah, Wash. He is an adjunct faculty member at Bastyr University, where he teaches practice management, and is a former board member for the Acupuncture Association of Washington. He also is the author of a book on insurance billing titled Insurance Billing For CAM Providers: A Survival Guide For Alternative Health Practitioners.