What kind of actions might lead to a penalty of $100,000 for a HIPAA violation?

A penalty of $100,000 for a HIPAA violation typically results from actions taken under false pretense. This would involve situations where an individual or entity knowingly and intentionally violates HIPAA regulations to deceive or gain unauthorized access to protected health information (PHI). The law recognizes such actions as serious offenses, reflecting a deliberate disregard for the privacy and security of individuals' health information.

In contrast, knowledge of a violation or simple negligence may result in lower-level penalties, but they do not carry the same level of intent to deceive as actions taken under false pretenses. Similarly, minor errors or inadvertent violations where there is no malicious intent or significant harm typically warrant less severe consequences and may be subject to corrective action rather than hefty fines.