IHS Business Practices and Office Management

Question 1

Under HIPAA's Privacy Rule, a hearing instrument specialist may share a patient's protected health information (PHI) without obtaining patient authorization in which of the following situations?

Accepted Answer

When coordinating treatment with another healthcare provider involved in the patient's care

Answer

When sharing records with the patient's employer at the employer's request

Answer

When a family member asks for the patient's audiogram results

Answer

When posting a patient success story on the practice's social media

Question 2

Which infection control practice is MOST important when handling hearing aids that have been worn by a patient?

Accepted Answer

Using appropriate disinfectant wipes or UV sanitizers designed for hearing instruments

Answer

Autoclaving the devices between appointments

Answer

Wiping devices with a dry cloth before inspection

Answer

Placing used devices in a sealed bag for 24 hours before handling

Question 3

A patient's hearing aid purchase is being submitted to their insurance under CPT coding. Which code range is most commonly associated with hearing aid-related services?

Accepted Answer

CPT V5000–V5999 series (hearing services)

Answer

CPT V codes (vision services)

Answer

CPT 92000–92999 (special otorhinolaryngologic services)

Answer

ICD-10 codes only — CPT codes do not apply to hearing aids

Question 4

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires hearing instrument dispensing offices to:

Accepted Answer

Provide effective communication accommodations and accessible facilities for patients with disabilities

Answer

Provide hearing aids free of charge to patients who cannot afford them

Answer

Employ at least one audiologist alongside the hearing instrument specialist

Answer

Offer only digital hearing aids to comply with modern accessibility standards

Question 5

Which of the following is the BEST practice for maintaining patient records in a hearing instrument dispensing practice?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining secure, confidential records for the period required by state law, typically 5–10 years

Answer

Storing paper records in an unlocked filing cabinet for easy staff access

Answer

Keeping records only for one year after the patient's last visit

Answer

Deleting electronic records annually to comply with data minimization rules

Question 6

A patient requests a copy of their own audiogram and hearing aid records. Under HIPAA, the dispensing practice must:

Accepted Answer

Provide the patient access to their records, typically within 30 days

Answer

Deny the request if the records might confuse the patient

Answer

Provide the records only if the patient's physician co-signs the request

Answer

Charge the patient a flat fee of $50 before releasing any records