Under HIPAA, protected health information may be disclosed for payment and health care operations without patient authorization.

Under HIPAA, protected health information may be disclosed for payment and health care operations without patient authorization.

• A. Only with patient consent
• B. Never under any circumstance
• C. Only for treatment
• D. For payment and health care operations without authorization

Answer: (D)

Under HIPAA, the Privacy Rule lets covered entities share protected health information without patient authorization for activities that keep health care functioning, specifically for payment and health care operations. This includes billing to insurers, determining eligibility and benefits, and activities like quality assessment, performance improvement, and case management. Disclosures must be limited to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose, and patients can request restrictions, but authorization isn’t required for these purposes. The other options miss this allowance, either implying consent is always needed or restricting disclosures to treatment only, which isn’t accurate.

Under HIPAA, the Privacy Rule lets covered entities share protected health information without patient authorization for activities that keep health care functioning, specifically for payment and health care operations. This includes billing to insurers, determining eligibility and benefits, and activities like quality assessment, performance improvement, and case management. Disclosures must be limited to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose, and patients can request restrictions, but authorization isn’t required for these purposes. The other options miss this allowance, either implying consent is always needed or restricting disclosures to treatment only, which isn’t accurate.