Who must notify patients in case of a breach of their PHI?

The correct answer is that covered entities as specified by HIPAA must notify patients in the event of a breach of their protected health information (PHI). Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, covered entities include health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses that transmit any health information in electronic form in connection with a HIPAA transaction.

When a breach occurs, these entities are mandated to notify affected individuals without unreasonable delay and no later than 60 days after the breach has been discovered. The notification must include information about what happened, the types of PHI involved, the steps individuals can take to protect themselves, and what the entity is doing to investigate the breach and mitigate any harm.

This requirement ensures that patients are informed of any potential risks to their privacy and can take appropriate steps to protect themselves from identity theft or other issues stemming from the breach. The focus on covered entities is crucial because these are the organizations that handle PHI directly and are governed by HIPAA regulations regarding privacy and security.

In contrast, health care providers alone may not encompass the entire scope of organizations involved in managing PHI, and family members do not have a legal obligation to notify patients about such breaches. Furthermore, stating that no one is required to notify patients would contradict