What are the consequences of non-compliance with HITECH?

Non-compliance with HITECH can result in increased penalties and enforcement actions, which is why this answer is correct. The HITECH Act significantly strengthened the HIPAA regulations, particularly concerning the privacy and security of health information. This legislation introduced a tiered violation structure that determines the severity of fines based on the level of intent behind the violation—ranging from unknowing violations to willful neglect.

Additionally, organizations that fail to comply could face ongoing investigations from government bodies such as the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Health and Human Services. These investigations can lead to not only heightened financial penalties but also additional oversight requirements and corrective action plans to ensure compliance, which can impose substantial operational burdens on the entity involved.

While the other choices suggest various outcomes of non-compliance, they do not accurately reflect the serious, structured repercussions established by the HITECH Act and its enforcement mechanisms. The potential for higher fines alongside rigorous enforcement actions acts as a strong incentive for organizations to adhere strictly to the regulations governing patient privacy and data security.