Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

How does a breach defined by the Department of Defense (DoD) differ from a HIPAA breach?

1. It is more limited in scope

2. It covers a wider range of disclosure types

3. It is more stringent in penalties

4. It does not include unauthorized access

The correct answer is: It covers a wider range of disclosure types

The distinction in breach definitions between the Department of Defense (DoD) and HIPAA lies significantly in the range of disclosure types that each covers. The DoD's definition is broader, as it encompasses various forms of disclosures and encompasses all forms of sensitive information, including that related to national security, which may not be covered under the narrower scope of HIPAA's health information regulations. HIPAA specifically addresses breaches involving protected health information (PHI) and sets specific criteria and thresholds for what constitutes a breach in the healthcare context. In contrast, the DoD must consider an array of disclosures that could impact operational security and defense-related information beyond just health data, leading to its broader definition. This means that the DoD's breach framework acknowledges the significance of various sensitive information types, while HIPAA focuses specifically on the privacy and security of healthcare-related information. The broader consideration in the DoD's framework reflects its unique role in national security and military operations, which necessitates a wider perspective on what constitutes a breach.