Which of the following is part of a contingency plan under HIPAA's security rule?

A contingency plan under HIPAA's security rule is designed to ensure that covered entities can respond effectively to emergencies or disruptive events that threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI).

The emergency mode operation plan is particularly crucial because it outlines the procedures and actions that should be taken to maintain access to ePHI during emergency situations. This plan includes measures for keeping operations running and ensuring that essential functions continue even when faced with a disaster or security breach. This alignment with the overarching goal of maintaining data protection and service continuity makes it an integral part of a comprehensive contingency strategy.

In contrast, while an emergency contact list is useful for coordination and communication during emergencies, it serves as a supportive tool rather than a core component of continuity in operations. An insurance verification process is related to financial activities rather than direct response and recovery from security incidents. An annual compliance assessment is important for overall regulatory adherence but does not focus specifically on the immediate, tactical steps required in response to emergencies or system failures. Therefore, the emergency mode operation plan is the correct choice, as it aligns directly with the objectives of a contingency plan under HIPAA's security regulations.