If a covered entity identifies a material breach of a contract with a business associate, where is this problem reported?

When a covered entity identifies a material breach of a contract with a business associate, it is reported to The Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The OCR is responsible for enforcing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security rules. In the context of breaches concerning protected health information, it is essential for covered entities to report incidents to the OCR because they are the federal body that oversees compliance with HIPAA regulations and manages any reported breaches regarding privacy and security violations.

The requirement for this reporting stems from the significance of safeguarding patient information and ensuring that any breaches are investigated appropriately. Covered entities must also notify affected individuals and may need to report to HHS depending on the scale of the breach, but the primary destination for addressing issues directly related to business associate agreements and material breaches is the OCR.