Which statement about breaches is correct?

The assertion that all breaches are reportable is correct because the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes that any breach of protected health information (PHI) must be reported unless it can be shown that there is a low probability that the information has been compromised. This is aligned with the Breach Notification Rule under HIPAA, which mandates that covered entities notify affected individuals and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about breaches.

This requirement emphasizes the importance of transparency in maintaining patients’ trust and ensuring compliance within the healthcare system. Breaches can range in severity, but the need for reporting applies generally to all incidents of unauthorized access or disclosure of PHI. This process safeguards patients' rights and maintains the integrity of health data, thus fostering accountability within healthcare organizations.

In contrast, the other choices imply limitations on when reporting is necessary, which could undermine the aim of the regulations to protect individuals’ privacy. For instance, suggesting that only major breaches or those involving over 500 individuals need to be reported fails to recognize that even small breaches can have significant implications and thus must also be addressed accordingly. Similarly, the idea that breaches must be confirmed before reporting could lead to delays in notification, increasing the risk of harm to affected