Ethics and Confidentiality Flashcards
7 cards from real CBP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics and Confidentiality flashcards as text
A patient has paid in full out of pocket and asks that their treatment not be disclosed to their health plan. The clinic must:
Answer: Honor the restriction request
HIPAA (via HITECH) requires providers to honor requests to restrict disclosure to a health plan for services paid in full out of pocket.
Which is the best practice when sending PHI by email to a patient who requests it?
Answer: Warn the patient of the risks of unencrypted email, document their preference, and use secure methods when possible
HIPAA lets patients receive PHI by unencrypted email if they are warned of the risks and still request it, and the clinic should document this.
What does the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices require at a patient's first visit?
Answer: Providing the notice and making a good-faith effort to obtain written acknowledgment
Direct treatment providers must give the NPP at first service and make a good-faith effort to get written acknowledgment of receipt.
A chiropractor routinely bills a full-spine re-exam at every visit even though one was not performed. What is this?
Answer: Upcoding or billing for services not rendered, which is fraud
Billing for services not performed is fraudulent and violates the False Claims Act when federal payers are involved.
What is the primary ethical concern with a chiropractor requiring patients to prepay a non-refundable, year-long corrective care package?
Answer: It may exploit patients financially and undermine their right to stop care
Non-refundable prepaid plans can coerce patients into continuing care and conflict with autonomy and fair dealing.
A patient requests an amendment to their chart, claiming the documented injury history is wrong. Under HIPAA, the clinic may deny the request if:
Answer: The record is accurate and complete
Covered entities may deny amendment if the information is accurate and complete, but they must give a written denial and allow a statement of disagreement.
When is it ethically appropriate to breach confidentiality without patient consent?
Answer: When there is a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public
HIPAA permits disclosure to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.