To whom are HIPAA violations reported?

The correct response focuses on the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This office is specifically designated to handle and investigate complaints related to violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). When a covered entity or business associate breaches patient privacy or fails to comply with HIPAA regulations, individuals can file a complaint directly with the OCR.

The OCR is responsible for enforcing HIPAA's privacy and security rules, conducting investigations into reported violations, and imposing penalties for non-compliance. This makes it the appropriate authority for reporting HIPAA violations, as they have the jurisdiction and expertise to address these issues.

While the DHHS is a broader agency that oversees OCR, it is the OCR that manages HIPAA complaints specifically. Similarly, state pharmacy boards and the Federal Trade Commission do not focus on HIPAA violations; the former regulates pharmacy practice at the state level, and the latter primarily deals with consumer protection and antitrust issues. Thus, the Office for Civil Rights is the correct entity to report HIPAA violations.