Certified Application Counselor Practice Test

What is the time frame within which a compromised PII incident should be reported to CMS?

1. Within 30 minutes of discovery

2. Within 1 hour of discovery

3. Within 24 hours of discovery

4. Within 48 hours of discovery

The correct answer is: Within 1 hour of discovery

The correct choice indicates that any compromised Personally Identifiable Information (PII) incident should be reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) within 1 hour of its discovery. This prompt reporting requirement underscores the importance of swift action in mitigating potential harms associated with breaches of personal data. Timely reporting enables the effective implementation of measures to protect affected individuals and helps the organization respond appropriately to the incident. Reporting within this tight time frame is essential because the sooner the issue is reported, the quicker necessary steps can be taken to address and contain the breach. This approach helps maintain compliance with regulations and reinforces the commitment to safeguarding sensitive information.