Alaska DHSS Settles HIPAA Security Case for $1,700,000 — $1,700,000

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Navigate to: HIPAA for Professionals Regulatory Initiatives Privacy Summary of the Privacy Rule Guidance Combined Text of All Rules HIPAA Related Links Security Security Rule NPRM Summary of the Security Rule Security Guidance Cyber Security Guidance Breach Notification Breach Reporting Guidance Reports to Congress Regulation History Compliance & Enforcement Enforcement Rule Enforcement Process Enforcement Data Resolution Agreements Case Examples Audit Reports to Congress State Attorneys General Special Topics Parental Access Mental and Behavioral Health Change Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident FAQs HIPAA and COVID-19 HIPAA and Reproductive Health HIPAA and Final Rule Notice HIPAA and Telehealth HIPAA and FERPA Research Public Health Emergency Response Health Information Technology Health Apps Patient Safety Covered Entities & Business Associates Business Associate Contracts Business Associates Training & Resources FAQs for Professionals Other Administrative Simplification Rules Substance Use Disorder Confidentiality Alaska DHSS settles HIPAA security case for $1,700,000 Alaska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) $1.7 million to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule. Alaska also agreed to take corrective action to improve policies and procedures to safeguard the privacy and security of its patients’ protected health information. OCR’s investigation followed a breach report submitted by Alaska DHHS as required by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. The report indicated that a portable electronic storage device (USB hard drive) possibly containing ePHI was stolen from the vehicle of a DHHS employee. Over the course of the investigation, OCR found that DHHS did not have adequate policies and procedures in place to safeguard ePHI. Further, DHHS had not completed a risk analysis, implemented sufficient risk management measures, completed security training for its workforce members, implemented device and media controls, or addressed device and media encryption as required by the HIPAA Security Rule.Read the Resolution Agreement and CAPFor Information on OCR’s Enforcement ActivitiesRead the HHS Press ReleaseTo File a Health Information Privacy or Security Complaint Content last reviewed February 16, 2023