HIPPA Violations need to be taken very seriously in the healthcare field. I am sure most employees are not aware of the penalties involved with a HIPPA violation. The American Recovery Act of 2009 created a tiered penalty for HIPPA violations. But it is the Office of Civil Rights that determines the amount of each penalty, and is dependent upon the nature and extent of harm that results from the breach (CMS, 2013).
The fine for a first time violation by a person whom did not know they had violated HIPPA laws could range from $100 to as high as $50.000. A fine due to willful neglect, but corrected within the required time period is $10,000 per violation with a maximum of $50,000. If the violation is not corrected the fines increase