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
Which scenario represents a violation of the Minimum Necessary Standard?
Answer: A billing specialist accessing a patient's full psychiatric history to process an insurance claim
A billing specialist does not need access to a patient's full psychiatric history to process a claim; providing this exceeds the minimum necessary for the billing function.
What is a 'limited data set' under HIPAA, and how does it relate to the Minimum Necessary Standard?
Answer: PHI with most direct identifiers removed, used for research, public health, or healthcare operations under a data use agreement
A limited data set is PHI stripped of most direct identifiers and may be used for research, public health, or operations under a data use agreement, representing one way to apply the Minimum Necessary Standard.
Under the Minimum Necessary Standard, how should a covered entity respond to a request for an entire medical record?
Answer: Evaluate whether the entire record is actually needed or if a subset would suffice
Covered entities must evaluate whether the entire record is genuinely necessary or whether a subset of PHI would be sufficient for the stated purpose.
How does the Minimum Necessary Standard apply to business associates handling PHI?
Answer: Business associates must limit their use and disclosure of PHI to what is specified in the Business Associate Agreement
Business associates must limit their use, disclosure, and requests for PHI to what is permitted by the Business Associate Agreement and necessary to perform contracted services.
Which of the following is a proper way for a covered entity to implement the Minimum Necessary Standard for workforce access?
Answer: Identify classes of workforce members who need certain PHI and limit their access accordingly
Covered entities must identify workforce classes, the PHI each class needs, and then implement policies limiting access to that specific PHI.
Which of the following disclosures to public health authorities is subject to the Minimum Necessary Standard?
Answer: Voluntary sharing of patient data beyond what is legally required for a public health investigation
While mandatory public health reporting required by law is generally exempt, voluntary or excess disclosures beyond what the law requires must still meet the Minimum Necessary Standard.
What must a covered entity do to satisfy the Minimum Necessary Standard when responding to a subpoena for PHI?
Answer: Disclose only the PHI specifically identified in the subpoena or the minimum needed to comply
When responding to a subpoena, covered entities should limit PHI to what is specifically requested or the minimum necessary to comply with the legal process.