Penalty Amount
$417,816
Consumers Affected
1,654
Virtua Medical Group agreed to pay $417,816 and implement a corrective action plan to settle allegations that it failed to properly secure electronic protected health information (ePHI). A vendor's server misconfiguration publicly exposed the medical records of over 1,650 patients via Google searches. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs found VMG violated HIPAA's Security and Privacy Rules by not adequately vetting the vendor's security and failing to conduct proper risk analysis.
VMG must pay $417,816 in civil penalties and fees. It must hire a third-party to conduct a thorough security risk analysis of ePHI storage, transmission, and receipt, submitting reports to the Division within 180 days and annually for two years. The Corrective Action Plan mandates improved data security practices and vendor oversight.
Entity
Virtua Medical Group, P.A.
Also known as: Virtua Medical Group
Industry
HealthcareOfficial Press Release
https://www.njoag.gov/virtua-medical-group-agrees-to-pay-nearly-418000-tighten-data-security-to-settle-allegations-of-privacy-lapses-concerning-medical-treatment-files-of-patients/
New Jersey Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-consumer-affairs/
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