Minimum Necessary Standard Flashcards
7 cards from real HIPAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Minimum Necessary Standard flashcards as text
What does the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard require covered entities to do when using or disclosing PHI?
Answer: Limit PHI to the least amount reasonably needed to accomplish the intended purpose
The Minimum Necessary Standard requires covered entities to make reasonable efforts to use, disclose, or request only the minimum amount of PHI needed to accomplish the intended purpose.
Which of the following disclosures is EXEMPT from the Minimum Necessary Standard under HIPAA?
Answer: Disclosures to a treating healthcare provider
HIPAA explicitly exempts disclosures to treating healthcare providers from the Minimum Necessary Standard because treatment requires complete clinical information.
Under the Minimum Necessary Standard, what must a covered entity do when it routinely requests PHI from another covered entity?
Answer: Establish standard protocols or criteria limiting requests to the minimum needed
For routine requests, covered entities must establish standard protocols that limit PHI requests to what is reasonably necessary for the identified purpose.
How should a covered entity implement the Minimum Necessary Standard for internal workforce access to PHI?
Answer: Implement role-based access controls so employees access only PHI needed for their job functions
Role-based access controls ensure each workforce member can access only the PHI necessary to perform their specific job function, satisfying the Minimum Necessary Standard.
Which of the following is a valid method for a covered entity to comply with the Minimum Necessary Standard for non-routine disclosures?
Answer: Review each non-routine request on a case-by-case basis to determine the minimum PHI needed
For non-routine disclosures, covered entities must make an individual determination of what constitutes the minimum necessary PHI for each specific request.
The Minimum Necessary Standard was established under which HIPAA rule?
Answer: The HIPAA Privacy Rule
The Minimum Necessary Standard is a core requirement of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, found at 45 CFR §164.502(b) and §164.514(d).
Which of the following best describes how the Minimum Necessary Standard applies to disclosures required by law?
Answer: Covered entities must still limit PHI to the minimum needed to comply with the legal requirement
Even when disclosure is required by law, covered entities must disclose only the minimum PHI necessary to meet the specific legal requirement.