If a data breach occurred on September 25, 2015, when must the hospital notify the Department of Health and Human Services at the latest?

The requirement for notifying the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding a data breach is governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. According to HIPAA, covered entities must report a breach to HHS no later than 60 days after the discovery of the breach.

In this scenario, if the breach occurred on September 25, 2015, the hospital must notify HHS within the stipulated timeframe, meaning by November 24, 2015. However, the answer indicates September 25, 2015, which is not a practical answer as it would imply that notification occurs at the time of the incident rather than within the required regulatory timeframe.

In this context, B is not the correct answer as it does not comply with the regulations set forth by HIPAA. The proper choice aligns with the 60-day notification period, making options like January 2, 2016, or other dates outside that immediate notification timeframe more relevant for consideration. The hospital must ensure compliance by using the correct timeframe from the date of breach discovery.