HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard 2

Question 1

Which scenario represents a violation of the Minimum Necessary Standard?

Accepted Answer

A billing specialist accessing a patient's full psychiatric history to process an insurance claim

Answer

A nurse accessing only the medication records needed to administer a patient's prescription

Answer

A physician reviewing a patient's complete record prior to surgery

Answer

A privacy officer auditing access logs across all departments

Question 2

What is a 'limited data set' under HIPAA, and how does it relate to the Minimum Necessary Standard?

Accepted Answer

PHI with most direct identifiers removed, used for research, public health, or healthcare operations under a data use agreement

Answer

A complete medical record with all identifiers removed, used only for treatment

Answer

A summary of PHI provided to patients upon request

Answer

A subset of PHI shared with law enforcement under a court order

Question 3

Under the Minimum Necessary Standard, how should a covered entity respond to a request for an entire medical record?

Accepted Answer

Evaluate whether the entire record is actually needed or if a subset would suffice

Answer

Always provide the entire record to avoid liability for omitting relevant information

Answer

Provide the record only after obtaining written patient authorization

Answer

Automatically deny the request until a court order is obtained

Question 4

How does the Minimum Necessary Standard apply to business associates handling PHI?

Accepted Answer

Business associates must limit their use and disclosure of PHI to what is specified in the Business Associate Agreement

Answer

Business associates are not required to comply with the Minimum Necessary Standard

Answer

Business associates may use any PHI they receive for their own business purposes

Answer

Business associates must obtain patient consent before using any PHI

Question 5

Which of the following is a proper way for a covered entity to implement the Minimum Necessary Standard for workforce access?

Accepted Answer

Identify classes of workforce members who need certain PHI and limit their access accordingly

Answer

Grant all staff access to all PHI to prevent delays in care

Answer

Require staff to sign a confidentiality agreement and grant unrestricted access

Answer

Allow workforce members to self-select the PHI they need for their duties

Question 6

Which of the following disclosures to public health authorities is subject to the Minimum Necessary Standard?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary sharing of patient data beyond what is legally required for a public health investigation

Answer

Mandatory disease reporting required by state law

Answer

Any reporting done at the request of the CDC

Answer

All public health disclosures are fully exempt from the standard

Question 7

What must a covered entity do to satisfy the Minimum Necessary Standard when responding to a subpoena for PHI?

Accepted Answer

Disclose only the PHI specifically identified in the subpoena or the minimum needed to comply

Answer

Provide the complete medical record to ensure compliance with the subpoena

Answer

Refuse to disclose any PHI without a full court order

Answer

Notify HHS before responding to any subpoena involving PHI