Final answer:
The maximum criminal penalty for knowingly obtaining or disclosing individually identifiable health information under HIPAA can include fines up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to ten years. Violations of this severity involve intentional misconduct or knowledge of the unlawful act.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of your question pertains to the legal consequences under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for knowingly obtaining or disclosing individually identifiable health information without proper authorization. HIPAA, which was enacted in 1996, provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients an array of rights concerning that information. Violations of HIPAA, especially those involving the willful neglect or knowledge of unlawfulness, can result in significant penalties.
The criminal penalties for such a violation can be severe, with maximum fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to ten years. The exact penalties depend on the nature and extent of the harm resulting from the violation. It is important for healthcare providers, insurance companies, and others dealing with protected health information to understand these legal ramifications and ensure strict adherence to HIPAA regulations to avoid such penalties.