What must a patient do in response to a perceived violation of HIPAA?

In the context of a perceived violation of HIPAA, the appropriate course of action for a patient is to file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This process allows individuals to formally report any suspected violations of their privacy rights under the HIPAA regulations. The DHHS has established a specific mechanism for handling these complaints, which facilitates a thorough investigation and ensures that issues can be appropriately addressed.

Filing a complaint with the DHHS is crucial because it may lead to corrective actions or enforcement against entities that do not comply with HIPAA regulations. The DHHS is equipped to assess these complaints and take the necessary steps to uphold and enforce the privacy rights of patients.

Other options, such as reporting to the judiciary, while they may be relevant in some legal contexts, do not directly initiate the investigative and corrective processes set forth in HIPAA. Similarly, contacting a lawyer immediately could be beneficial in specific situations but is not a required or systematic approach to addressing HIPAA violations. Notifying the healthcare provider verbally may inform them of a concern, but it does not serve to formally address the violation in the same systemic way that a complaint to the DHHS does.