How long do covered entities have to notify individuals of a breach?

Covered entities are required to notify individuals affected by a breach of their protected health information (PHI) within 60 days of discovering the breach. This timeline is stipulated under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, which mandates prompt notification to ensure that individuals can take necessary steps to protect themselves from potential harm, such as identity theft or fraud.

The focus on a 60-day timeframe emphasizes the importance of swift action in response to breaches, balancing the need for thorough investigation and the urgency of informing affected individuals. This timeframe helps establish a clear standard for compliance, ensuring that individuals are promptly made aware of any potential risks to their personal health information. This protective measure supports the overarching goals of HIPAA and HITECH legislation to safeguard patient information and uphold patient rights.