When protected health information (PHI) is shared without authorization, is it automatically considered a breach?

When protected health information (PHI) is shared without authorization, it is generally considered a breach of privacy under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. A breach occurs when there is an impermissible use or disclosure of PHI that compromises the security or privacy of the information. Since HIPAA mandates that PHI must be disclosed only with the proper authorization, any instance of sharing this information without consent is deemed a violation of the law.

This automatic classification as a breach is crucial for maintaining the trust and confidentiality expected in the handling of sensitive health information. Even in cases where the information might not be misused, the act of sharing it without following regulatory protocols is significant enough to warrant breach designation. Understanding this concept is essential for professionals working in healthcare and related fields to ensure compliance and protect patient rights.