According to HITECH breach notification requirements, what is the threshold for immediately notifying individuals affected by a breach?

The correct choice, indicating that notification is required when 500 individuals are affected by a breach, is explicitly aligned with the provisions of the HITECH Act concerning breach notification requirements. Under HITECH, if a breach affects 500 or more individuals, healthcare entities must promptly notify the affected individuals, as well as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the media if the breach affects a significant number of individuals in a state or jurisdiction.

This threshold is designed to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to protect themselves from potential harm that could arise from unauthorized access to their health information. The act recognizes that a breach impacting a larger number of individuals poses a greater risk, necessitating immediate action to inform those affected.

In contrast, while smaller breaches certainly warrant attention, they follow different notification protocols. For instance, breaches involving fewer than 500 individuals do not require immediate notification; instead, healthcare entities may compile these incidents and report them to the Secretary in an annual submission. Understanding the specific thresholds established by HITECH is crucial for compliance and for protecting patient privacy effectively.