Question

Violation of HIPAA standards is considered to be a:

1. misdemeanor
2. federal criminal offense
3. state criminal offense
4. local criminal offense

Answer 1

A violation of HIPAA standards is a federal criminal offense, and it can result in fines and imprisonment depending on the severity of the breach of patient privacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Violation of HIPAA standards is considered a federal criminal offense. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was enacted in 1996, is a federal law that establishes the requirements for the protection and confidential handling of protected health information. Violations of HIPAA can result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. If an individual knowingly obtains or discloses protected health information in violation of HIPAA, this can lead to a federal criminal charge. Penalties can range from monetary fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation.