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OCR Penalties

Meaning

OCR Penalties refer to the civil monetary fines levied by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services against covered entities and business associates for violations of HIPAA and HITECH rules. These penalties are designed to enforce compliance with patient privacy and security standards, particularly regarding the handling of electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). The financial consequences can be substantial, underscoring the necessity of strict adherence to clinical data protection protocols.