How Severe a Breach of HIPAA is? A Need-to-Know Info https://joyrulez.com/blogs/107307/Breach-of-HIPAA-Did-you-Know-How-Serious-It-is HIPAA applies to all covered businesses and their business affiliates who handle a patient's medical records. Breach of HIPAA refers to the illegal disclosure or misuse of the health records of an individual. If a business identifies a HIPAA violation, the privacy officer must perform an immediate internal investigation and risk assessment. breachofHIPAA