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If you think a HIPAA violation won鈥檛 land you with a prison term, think again. Though rare in practice, there are criminal provisions under HIPAA 鈥� and federal enforcers do prosecute these crimes.

Case in point: Former physician Frank Alario with practices in Florida, New Jersey, and New York violated HIPAA when he disclosed individuals鈥� protected health information to an outside pharmaceutical rep 鈥� Keith Ritson 鈥� who wasn鈥檛 permitted to have that patient data, according to a Department of Justice release. Alario not only allowed Ritson access to his office and medical files, but to 鈥渞estricted staff 鈥� and patients鈥� prescription and medication information as well. Furthermore, 鈥淩itson would use patients鈥� confidential information to fill out prescription forms that Alario would authorize, and then Ritson received commissions on those prescriptions,鈥� DOJ notes.

Alario has already been charged with conspiring to violate HIPAA and could get up to one year in prison as well as a $50,000 fine. Sentencing is expected in February 2023.