HIPAA & Privacy

The privacy and security of a patient’s health information is of utmost importance.  Attorneys at Chapman Law Group provide legal services to entities that handle health care and other personal data. Our attorneys are experienced with counseling clients on potential data breaches under HIPAA and other privacy and security laws, and in developing and executing a data breach response plan, including reporting to federal, state and local governmental agencies and responding to formal agency investigations.

If you believe there has been a breach to the security or privacy of protected health information (PHI), contact your attorney immediately. An investigation into the breach must be completed and notifications to those impacted sent out in a timely manner.

The Breach Notification Rule process is complex and must be done timely. Chapman Law Group can help you address these five critical questions:

1. 1. 1. What is the nature and extent of the PHI involved?
      2. What types of identifiers were released and what is the likelihood of re-identification?
      3. Who was the unauthorized person who used the PHI or to whom the disclosure was made?
      4. Was the PHI acquired or viewed?
      5. To what extent can you mitigate the risks of harm?

What is HIPAA’s Breach Notification Rule?

The Breach Notification Rule, 45 CFR §§ 164.400-414, originally published in August 2009, is an extremely important, but often overlooked provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). A breach (or compromise) to the security or privacy of protected health information (“PHI”) is defined by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (“HHS”) as acquisition, access, use or disclosure that “poses a significant risk of financial, reputational or other harm to the individual.”

Among other things, the Breach Notification Rule requires health care providers to demonstrate to HHS that he/she has taken appropriate remedial measures following the discovery of a breach or disclosure of unsecured PHI. Providers who can demonstrate such may avoid or limit their liability related to the alleged breach. Remedial measures include notice to patients and others of the impermissible use or disclosure that compromised the security or privacy of the PHI.

In January 2013, HHS published a final rule, including modifications to HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rules. A main area affected by this update was the addition of obligations on providers and their business associates to identify and report breaches of PHI. Under the previous “harm standard”, providers had discretion as to whether a breach was reportable, based on whether that breach would result in a significant risk of financial or reputational harm. But, HHS decided to change the “harm standard” due to its inconsistent application by providers.

The new standard, as announced in the final rule, presumes that any unauthorized use or disclosure of unsecured PHI is a reportable breach. Providers can rebut that presumption only by determining there is a low probability that the PHI has been compromised.

There are many nuances to the Breach Notification Rule, and providers must know whether they are required to notify:

• • The individual affected by the breach of unsecured PHI
  • The Secretary of HHS
  • In certain circumstances, the media

In addition, providers must know when their business associates are required to notify them if a breach occurs at or by the business associate.

If you believe that a breach of PHI may have occurred, you should immediately contact Chapman Law Group.