What is one of the modifications made under the 2013 HIPAA Omnibus Rule regarding breach notifications?

One of the modifications made under the 2013 HIPAA Omnibus Rule regarding breach notifications is the introduction of an objective standard for notifications. This change ensures that covered entities are required to notify individuals of a breach of their protected health information in a manner that provides clarity and accountability.

The objective standard essentially shifts the focus from the previous subjective determination of whether a breach caused "harm" to the individual, to a clearer guideline in which certain breaches must be reported regardless of the perceived impact on the individual. This modification enhances the transparency of the notification process, ensuring that consumers are informed about breaches that may affect their health information without leaving the determination up to the discretion of the entity involved.

This change aims to better protect patient privacy and security by ensuring that individuals are made aware of breaches in a timely manner, allowing them to take appropriate actions to mitigate potential risks.