What can a patient do if they feel their HIPAA privacy has been breached?

When a patient feels that their HIPAA privacy has been breached, they have specific options available to address their concerns. One of those options includes registering a complaint to the government, specifically with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) under the Department of Health and Human Services. The OCR enforces HIPAA privacy regulations and can investigate complaints about violations of health information privacy.

Additionally, while an individual might feel that they cannot sue for HIPAA violations directly, they have limited rights regarding legal action. In general, HIPAA does not provide a private cause of action, meaning individuals typically cannot sue for violations unless state laws allow for it. Therefore, the combination of being unable to sue directly and the option to file a complaint accurately reflects what patients can do in response to perceived privacy breaches. Thus, the correct response encompasses the points about legal limitations and the formal complaint process.