Which action constitutes a HIPAA violation regarding patient information?

Which action constitutes a HIPAA violation regarding patient information?

• A. Providing patient information to the patient
• B. De-identifying data before sharing
• C. Knowingly disclosing protected health information without consent
• D. Sharing non-identifying health data publicly

Answer: (C)

PHI is information that identifies a patient and relates to their health care. HIPAA allows disclosure of PHI only to the patient, to other authorized persons, or for specific permitted uses with proper authorization or a valid exception. Data that has been de-identified is no longer PHI and can be shared more freely. Providing patient information to the patient is allowed because patients have a right to access their own PHI. De-identifying data before sharing removes identifying details, so sharing it does not violate HIPAA. Sharing non-identifying health data publicly is also permissible so long as the data truly has been de-identified or is not PHI. Knowingly disclosing protected health information without consent is a violation because it reveals identifiable health information to someone who isn’t authorized to receive it, bypassing the protections HIPAA puts in place. This direct breach of authorization requirements is precisely what HIPAA aims to prevent.

PHI is information that identifies a patient and relates to their health care. HIPAA allows disclosure of PHI only to the patient, to other authorized persons, or for specific permitted uses with proper authorization or a valid exception. Data that has been de-identified is no longer PHI and can be shared more freely.

Providing patient information to the patient is allowed because patients have a right to access their own PHI. De-identifying data before sharing removes identifying details, so sharing it does not violate HIPAA. Sharing non-identifying health data publicly is also permissible so long as the data truly has been de-identified or is not PHI.

Knowingly disclosing protected health information without consent is a violation because it reveals identifiable health information to someone who isn’t authorized to receive it, bypassing the protections HIPAA puts in place. This direct breach of authorization requirements is precisely what HIPAA aims to prevent.