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HIPAA Compliant News Articles and Enforcement
OCR Imposes a $1.6 Million Civil Money Penalty against Texas Health and Human Services Commission for HIPAA Violations
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has imposed a $1,600,000 civil money penalty against the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (TX HHSC), for violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules between 2013 and 2017. TX…
Read MoreChildren’s Choice Pediatrics Ransomware Attack Impacts 12,689 Patients
It is becoming increasingly common for threat actors to use ransomware to encrypt files to prevent data access, but also to steal data and threaten to publish or sell on the stolen data if the ransom is not paid. This new tactic is intended to increase the likelihood of victims paying the ransom. The Center…
Read MoreTennessee diagnostic medical imaging services company pays $3,000,000 to settle breach
Touchstone Medical Imaging (“Touchstone”) has agreed to pay $3,000,000 to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and to adopt a corrective action plan to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security and Breach Notification Rules. Touchstone, based in Franklin,…
Read MoreOCR Concludes All-Time Record Year for HIPAA Enforcement with $3 Million Cottage Health Settlement
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services concluded an all-time record year in Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) enforcement activity. In 2018, OCR settled 10 cases and was granted summary judgment in a case before an Administrative Law Judge, together totaling $28.7 million from enforcement…
Read MoreEight Dallas-Area Pharmacy Owners and Marketers Charged in $9 Million Kickback Scheme
Eight Dallas, Texas-area pharmacy owners and marketers were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their roles in a scheme involving approximately $92 million in compound drug claims to TRICARE and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which were allegedly the product of over $9.1 million in illegal kickbacks. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski…
Read More$500,000 Fine Imposed on Physicians Group for HIPAA Violations and Not Having a Business Associates Agreement in Place
Advanced Care Hospitalists PL (ACH) has agreed to pay $500,000 to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and to adopt a substantial corrective action plan to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. ACH provides contracted…
Read MoreBurlington, New Jersey, Doctor Arrested for Role in $20 Million Telemedicine Compounded Medication Scheme
NEWARK, N.J. – A Burlington, New Jersey, man was arrested Friday for his role in a telemedicine scheme to prescribe expensive compounded medications to patients who did not need them, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Dr. Bernard Ogon, 45, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He made…
Read MorePatient Recruiter Convicted in $1.1 Million Kickback Scheme
On Friday, Nov. 2, a federal jury found a patient recruiter guilty for her role in a scheme involving approximately $1.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of kickbacks. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider of…
Read MoreTexas Patient Recruiter Sentenced to 108 months in Prison for $3.6 Million Home Health Care Fraud Scheme
WASHINGTON – A Houston, Texas-area patient recruiter was sentenced to 108 months in prison today for her role in a $3.6 million Medicare fraud scheme involving fraudulent claims for home health services. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas,…
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