Which of the following actions is NOT permitted under HIPAA?

Having a security breach is indeed not permitted under HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes stringent guidelines for the protection of Protected Health Information (PHI) and mandates that covered entities implement safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of such information. A security breach refers to an unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of PHI, which violates these protections and can lead to significant penalties for the entity involved. Therefore, encountering a security breach goes against the very framework that HIPAA aims to uphold, making it an action that is not allowed under the law.

In contrast, disclosing PHI without authorization for treatment is permitted, as HIPAA allows healthcare providers to share information necessary for patient care with other providers involved in that care. Similarly, using PHI for payment purposes is also permissible under HIPAA, as entities can use it to process health insurance claims. Furthermore, HIPAA allows for the disclosure of information during a public emergency, particularly when it is necessary to protect public health or safety. This ensures that necessary information can be shared promptly to address urgent situations.