Which agency is responsible for receiving complaints about HIPAA Privacy violations?

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the agency designated to receive and investigate complaints regarding violations of HIPAA's Privacy Rule. This agency operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is specifically tasked with enforcing civil rights protections and ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.

When a complaint about a HIPAA Privacy violation is submitted, the OCR conducts thorough investigations to determine whether a violation has occurred and what remedial actions may be necessary. This process involves reviewing evidence, interviewing relevant individuals, and imposing penalties when warranted.

The other agencies mentioned do not have the responsibility to handle HIPAA Privacy complaints. The Department of Health broadly deals with public health concerns but does not specifically focus on HIPAA enforcement. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) emphasizes disease control and prevention but does not manage HIPAA-related issues. Lastly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is focused on national security and criminal investigations rather than health information privacy compliance.