What can violation of HIPAA result in?

Violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) can lead to serious consequences, primarily in the form of both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties arise from violations of the regulations, which can include fines that vary in amount depending on the severity of the breach and whether the violation was intentional or resulted from reasonable cause. This encourages compliance as organizations work to protect patient information.

Criminal penalties can also apply in cases where the violation is more egregious or malicious, such as knowingly disclosing patient information without authorization or using that information for personal gain. These penalties can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment, underscoring the seriousness of adhering to HIPAA regulations.

Exclusion generally refers to barring an individual or organization from participating in federal healthcare programs, but it is not a direct consequence associated with HIPAA violations. Thus, the correct choice encompasses both civil and criminal penalties, highlighting the multifaceted ramifications of breaching HIPAA regulations.