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 ExclusiveMartha Hall, DAOM, ACN, NCCAOM
Martha E. Hall is an acupuncturist and herbalist with a busy practice in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. She graduated with a doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, and is a certified Applied Clinical Nutritionist. She holds a National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine certification and belongs to the International Foundation for Nutrition and Health.