If a dispenser willfully violates HIPAA that is not corrected, what is the criminal penalty?

The criminal penalty for willfully violating HIPAA regulations without correction involves substantial financial consequences for the violator. Specifically, if a dispenser knowingly obtains or discloses a patient’s protected health information in violation of HIPAA rules and does not correct the situation, the penalties can reach up to $50,000 for each violation. Furthermore, there is an annual maximum cap of $1,000,000 for total violations within that year. This tiered system of penalties is designed to enforce compliance with HIPAA and protect patient confidentiality.

In understanding the significance of this penalty structure, it becomes clear that it emphasizes the importance of safeguarding patient information and holding violators accountable. The substantial financial penalties illustrate how seriously the law treats the protection of health information and acts as a strong deterrent against potential breaches.