Final answer:
The HITECH Act requires that patients are notified of breaches of their unsecured protected health information within 60 days of the breach discovery. This is an extension of the rules established by HIPAA and ensures patient privacy is maintained.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act enhances the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules for privacy and security protections. Under the HITECH Act, covered entities must notify patients of breaches of their unsecured protected health information within 60 days of the discovery of the breach. This timing is crucial as it allows patients to take necessary steps to protect themselves from potential harm caused by the breach.