In the phase one audits under the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), in which organisations were randomly selected to be audited, only 11% of those investigated came back with a clean bill of health. The most common cause for a violation was listed as "entity unaware of the requirement". Those entities covered by HIPAA should ensure that they are familiar with the requirements as the second phase of audits is scheduled to begin at the end of this year and it is reported that it will carry financial penalties for the first time.
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