Butler woman faces federal HIPAA indictments
A Butler woman was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges of illegally obtaining and disclosing health information of another person.
Linda S. Kalina, 61, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with six counts of wrongfully obtaining and disclosing the health information of another individual, according to United States Attorney Scott Brady.
According to the indictment Kalina, while employed as a patient information coordinator by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and then by the Allegheny Health Network, wrongfully obtained health information, in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), from March 30, 2016, through Aug. 14, 2017, relating to 111 individual patients.
The indictment also charges that on four occasions between Dec. 30, 2016, and Aug. 11, 2017, Kalina wrongfully disclosed the health information of three individuals, with the intent to cause malicious harm.
The maximum total sentence she could face is 11 years in prison, a fine of $350,000, or both, according to the press release.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI.