Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) Practice

The correct response to how long a covered entity has to respond to an accounting of disclosures request is indeed 30 days with one 30-day extension allowed. This timeframe is established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which mandates that covered entities must provide individuals with an accounting of disclosures of their protected health information (PHI) upon request. The 30-day period begins when the covered entity receives the request for the accounting. If the covered entity is unable to provide the requested information within that initial 30 days, it has the option to extend the time by an additional 30 days. However, appropriate notification must be given to the individual requesting the information, explaining the reason for the delay and the expected date of completion. This rule ensures that individuals receive timely responses regarding their PHI while allowing covered entities the necessary time to compile accurate and comprehensive records if needed. It balances the need for patient access to their information with the operational realities faced by healthcare providers in managing medical records and disclosures.