Who enforces HIPAA privacy rules?

Who enforces HIPAA privacy rules?

• A. FDA
• B. HHS / OIG
• C. EPA
• D. FBI

Answer: (B)

HIPAA privacy rules are enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services. The primary enforcer is the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within HHS, which handles complaints, conducts investigations, and can levy penalties for violations involving protected health information. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) also works under HHS to audit and investigate compliance across federal health programs, which can include HIPAA-related issues, but OCR is the main enforcement arm. The other agencies listed are not responsible for enforcing HIPAA privacy rules.

HIPAA privacy rules are enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services. The primary enforcer is the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within HHS, which handles complaints, conducts investigations, and can levy penalties for violations involving protected health information. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) also works under HHS to audit and investigate compliance across federal health programs, which can include HIPAA-related issues, but OCR is the main enforcement arm. The other agencies listed are not responsible for enforcing HIPAA privacy rules.