There are administrative, physical, and technical types of HIPAA compliance. Administration involves policies and procedures for privacy, security, and breach notification. Physical requires safeguarding paper files and office access. Technical focuses on encryption, authentication, and access controls for electronic PHI.

The most serious HIPAA violation would be intentionally or knowingly using or disclosing PHI in an unpermitted manner. This could result in civil and criminal penalties from regulators. However, most organizations don't want to be non-compliant - they're looking for solutions to help them comply efficiently.

For some organizations, achieving Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance requires an investment of time and resources. However, the right solutions and approach can be relatively easy and inexpensive. Many vendors now offer HIPAA compliance as a service with tools that make the process streamlined and affordable.

The key HIPAA rules relate to privacy, security, breach notification, and standard transactions. The Privacy Rule establishes patients' rights over their data, and what uses and disclosures require authorization. The Security Rule sets technical, physical, and administrative standards. And Breach Notification requires reporting certain data breaches. Covered entities need to understand these rules and have controls addressing each area.