Massachusetts group to pay $1.5M HIPAA settlement

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Associates Inc. (MEEI) have been ordered to pay $1.5m to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for potential HIPAA Security Rule violations. MEEI had failed to take the necessary action to ensure the confidentiality of patients’ protected health information, with an unencrypted laptop containing sensitive information being stolen in 2010.