Which office enforces HIPAA's privacy, security, and breach notification rules?

Prepare for the AAPC Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) Certification Exam. Use quizzes and detailed explanations to enhance your knowledge and boost your confidence. Excel in your exam with structured learning!

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is the correct answer because it is specifically tasked with enforcing HIPAA’s privacy, security, and breach notification rules. The OCR ensures that covered entities, such as healthcare providers and insurers, comply with the privacy requirements outlined in HIPAA, which aim to protect patients' personal health information.

The Office of Civil Rights has the authority to investigate complaints regarding HIPAA violations and may conduct compliance reviews to ensure that entities are adhering to the regulations. Furthermore, OCR administers the enforcement of the Breach Notification Rule, which mandates that covered entities report breaches of unsecured protected health information.

The other entities listed operate within different scopes. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees a broader range of healthcare-related regulations but does not enforce HIPAA directly—this role falls specifically to the OCR. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) primarily focuses on combating fraud, waste, and abuse in health programs, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) deals with criminal investigations and law enforcement, not healthcare privacy issues.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy