In the interconnected world of digital health information, safeguarding Protected Health Information is paramount. Healthcare providers must legally follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect patient privacy and maintain trust, and this compliance includes understanding what it means to identify and deal with security incidents.

Among these, the concepts of security incidents, reportable events, and the implementation of the Breach Notification Rule are particularly critical. These aspects of HIPAA are at the heart of ensuring that health information remains confidential and that violations are promptly addressed and communicated appropriately.

This article explains the obligations of HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates under the Breach Notification Rule regarding reportable events. We will explore how to identify security incidents, determine their severity, ascertain if they constitute a reportable event, and understand the necessary steps for notification during a breach.