Health Information Management

OCR confirms Walgreens HIPAA investigation

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, August 9, 2010

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The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) confirmed last Monday its investigation into Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, based on the same television media reports that led to million-dollar settlements with CVS and Rite Aid for potential HIPAA violations.

The HIPAA privacy and security rule enforcer’s investigation into CVS and Rite Aid began September 27, 2007, according to each pharmacy chain’s consent agreement with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS); HHS oversees OCR.

HHS agreed to a $2.25 million settlement for CVS (announced February 18, 2009) and a $1 million payment by Rite Aid (announced July 27, 2010).

Neither consent agreement mentioned an investigation into Walgreens, a Deerfield, IL, company.

Walgreens operates the most drugstores in the country ahead of No. 2 CVS and No. 3 Rite Aid.

Read the full story on HIPAA Update.



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