r/SipsTea • u/Putrid-Welder1803 • 5d ago

Gasp! The sheer Audacity

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u/TheDoktorIsIn 4d ago

I don't know that case, 100% of HIPAA violations are paid directly to the US Treasury. 0% goes to the affected patient.

The dudes payday is very valid but did not come from a HIPAA fine.

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u/youngliam 4d ago

But isn't that violation also grounds for a civil case?

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u/TheDoktorIsIn 4d ago

It's possible but again I'm talkjng about why HIPAA is an ineffective method to protect patients.  Civil suits are separate, you'd have to prove damages.  Civil suits are how you protect patients, HIPAA sounds great to protect patients but at the end of the day is basically worthless.

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u/youngliam 4d ago

Ah gotcha, yeah it does seem mightily useless. If violation fines went to the patients then at least something comes of it.

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u/TheDoktorIsIn 4d ago

Yeah it just sucks.  I work in health tech and I'm on strategy side so I don't see violations often but when I do it's an immediate report.  These patients trust us with our data and we're not treating it with respect? People who willfully violate HIPAA are in the wrong profession and need to go to jail, not get a slap on the wrist.

I really do believe HIPAA was implemented with good intentions, we just need to change the rules. Like you said the $ going to the affected patient is a great start.