Which government entity is primarily responsible for enforcing HIPAA regulations?

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the primary government entity responsible for enforcing HIPAA regulations. This enforcement role includes overseeing compliance with the Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules established under HIPAA. The OCR investigates complaints, conducts compliance reviews, and can impose civil monetary penalties for violations of HIPAA regulations.

The OCR's focus is on ensuring that individuals' health information is protected and that covered entities, such as healthcare providers, health plans, and business associates, comply with HIPAA requirements. It also facilitates awareness through outreach and guidance to help entities better understand their obligations under HIPAA.

In contrast, other organizations mentioned have different roles: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) primarily deals with public health and disease control, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) focuses on consumer protection and antitrust laws, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutes criminal offenses and handles federal legal matters, but it does not specifically enforce HIPAA regulations.