Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CHPS Practice Questions and Study Guide

If a covered entity is found to have acted with reasonable cause in failing to comply with HIPAA, they may avoid severe penalties. The concept of “reasonable cause” refers to situations where the entity had a legitimate reason for their actions, even if those actions ultimately resulted in non-compliance. When an investigation determines that a failure to comply was in good faith and not due to willful neglect, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has the discretion to impose less severe penalties or even potentially waive penalties altogether.

This approach is consistent with HIPAA's goal of promoting compliance and encouraging entities to improve their practices rather than solely focusing on punitive measures. In contrast, if the failure is considered to be the result of willful neglect, the penalties imposed may be much harsher and less forgiving. Thus, recognizing the "reasonable cause" finding allows for some leniency in enforcement actions, which is beneficial for covered entities striving to uphold compliance.