What are the civil penalties for HIPAA violations?

The civil penalties for HIPAA violations are designed to hold entities accountable for the protection of individuals' health information. The correct option specifies that penalties can range from $100 to $50,000 per violation, with an overall cap of $1,500,000 per year for violations of a similar type. This framework ensures that while specific violations can incur significant fines, there is also a limit on the total amount that can be assessed in a given year for these infringements.

This tiered penalty system reflects an understanding that some violations may be less egregious than others, allowing for a more proportional response that takes into account factors such as intent, history of compliance, and the nature of the violation itself. It's structured to encourage compliance and protect patients' privacy while dissuading careless handling of health information. In contrast, other choices suggest penalties that do not align with the established guidelines in HIPAA regulations, either citing static amounts without the appropriate range or failing to mention a maximum cap on annual penalties.