Which HIPAA rule imposes penalties and outlines procedures for violations?

• A. Privacy Rule
• B. Enforcement Rule
• C. Security Rule
• D. Breach Notification Rule

Answer: (B)

The enforcement mechanisms of HIPAA are about what happens when rules aren’t followed. The rule that specifies penalties for violations and lays out how those violations are investigated, prosecuted, and resolved is the Enforcement Rule. It spells out civil and criminal penalties, including the ranges of fines and the factors used to determine them, as well as the procedures for investigations, notices of enforcement, settlements, and corrective action plans. In short, it provides the framework for enforcing HIPAA violations.

The other rules set the protections and requirements—who can view PHI, how PHI must be safeguarded, and when breaches must be reported—but they do not themselves lay out the enforcement process or penalties.