HIPAA right of access: In what looks like a new trend, another costly settlement

The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) has settled eight cases since it began enforcing HIPAA’s right of access provision. Dignity Health, operating as St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, will pay $160,000 for a potential violation of this provision after failing to provide a mother with her son’s medical records despite repeated requests. HHS has made data accessibility a priority to support patients’ right to timely access to their health records, and will continue to enforce this right vigorously.