HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1996 that establishes national standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information, known as Protected Health Information (PHI).
The HIPAA Security Rule specifically focuses on electronic PHI (ePHI) and requires covered entities and their business associates to implement appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.
When Does HIPAA Apply?
Healthcare Providers
Hospitals, clinics, doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers who transmit health information electronically.
Health Plans
Health insurance companies, HMOs, company health plans, and government healthcare programs.
Business Associates
Any organization that handles PHI on behalf of a covered entity, including IT vendors, billing companies, and consultants.
Key Requirements
Non-Compliance Penalties
HIPAA violations can result in significant penalties:
- Tier 1:$100 - $50,000 per violation (unaware of violation)
- Tier 2:$1,000 - $50,000 per violation (reasonable cause)
- Tier 3:$10,000 - $50,000 per violation (willful neglect - corrected)
- Tier 4:$50,000+ per violation (willful neglect - not corrected)
Annual maximum penalties can reach $1.5 million per violation category.
Simplify Your HIPAA Compliance
ICISO's AI-powered platform automates HIPAA compliance monitoring, provides continuous risk assessment, and generates audit-ready documentation. Protect patient data while reducing compliance burden.
Get Started with ICISO