Commentary Addressing Risks and Opportunities Through the Life Cycle of Data, Technology, Advertising and Innovation

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<p>The breach notification interim final rule requires covered entities to submit to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) notice of breaches of unsecured protected health information (PHI) (45 C.F.R. 164.408) by March 1, 2013. For breaches affecting fewer than 500 individuals, a covered entity must submit to OCR its annual notification of all breaches occurring in a calendar year within 60 days of the end of the calendar year in which the breaches occurred. This notice must be submitted electronically by completing all information required on the <a href="http://ocrnotifications.hhs.gov/">breach notification form</a>, located online. A separate form must be completed for each breach that has occurred during the calendar year. Covered entities should analyze each potential breach under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) regulations, including a documenting incident reports, risk of harm analyses, and notification documents, where applicable. BakerHostetler works with clients in determining which incidents to include on the annual report so that the covered entity does not set a precedent that could prejudice it in a future large breach.</p>
<p>If you need assistance with your annual OCR reporting or breach analysis, please contact Lynn Sessions at 713.646.1352 or <a href="mailto:lsessions@bakerlaw.com">lsessions@bakerlaw.com</a> or Ted Kobus at 212.271.1504 or <a href="mailto:tkobus@bakerlaw.com">tkobus@bakerlaw.com</a>.</p>

Reminder Annual OCR Breach Reporting is Due March 1, 2013