AHIMA AHIMA Release of Information 3

Question 1

What is the purpose of an 'accounting of disclosures' under HIPAA?

Accepted Answer

To provide patients a list of certain disclosures of their PHI made without authorization

Answer

HIPAA grants patients the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of their PHI made without their authorization for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.

Question 2

Under HIPAA, what right does a patient have regarding amendments to their health record?

Accepted Answer

The right to request amendment of PHI they believe is inaccurate or incomplete

Answer

HIPAA gives patients the right to request an amendment to their PHI; the covered entity may deny the request if the information is accurate and complete, but must document the denial.

Question 3

Which scenario describes a valid 'incidental disclosure' that does not violate HIPAA?

Accepted Answer

A patient overhearing their name called in a waiting room despite reasonable safeguards being in place

Answer

Incidental disclosures that occur as a by-product of a permissible disclosure and despite reasonable safeguards do not violate HIPAA, such as calling a patient's name in a waiting room.

Question 4

What is the HIPAA-compliant fee limit concept for providing patients electronic access to their PHI in a readily producible format?

Accepted Answer

Only a reasonable, cost-based fee limited to labor for copying and supplies; no retrieval or overhead fees allowed for patient access requests

Answer

For patient access requests, HHS guidance limits fees to the actual cost of labor for copying and supplies; facilities cannot charge retrieval, overhead, or other add-on fees.

Question 5

Under HIPAA, who is considered a 'personal representative' with rights to access a patient's PHI?

Accepted Answer

A person with legal authority to make health care decisions on behalf of the patient, such as a legal guardian or holder of a healthcare power of attorney

Answer

HIPAA recognizes personal representatives — those with legal authority to act on a patient's behalf regarding healthcare decisions — as having the same rights as the patient to access PHI.

(AHIMA) American Health Information Management Association Practice Test

(AHIMA) American Health Information Management Association Practice Test

AHIMA AHIMA Release of Information 3