Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Is the statement, "She was taken to ICU because her diabetes became acute," considered a HIPAA-compliant disclosure?

1. Yes, it is compliant

2. No, it is not compliant

3. It depends on the context given

4. It is compliant if authorized by the patient

The correct answer is: No, it is not compliant

The statement regarding someone's medical condition, specifically that "She was taken to ICU because her diabetes became acute," contains identifiable health information about an individual. Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations, any disclosure of protected health information (PHI) must ensure that the individual's privacy is upheld. In this case, the statement provides specific information about the individual's health condition and treatment location, which could potentially identify the individual. If this information is disclosed without the patient's consent or outside the context of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, it would not be HIPAA-compliant. For HIPAA compliance, disclosure should only happen in certain circumstances, such as when the individual has given authorization for their information to be shared, when it is necessary for treatment or payment, or when specific legal exceptions apply. Without proper consent, sharing details that could identify the patient violates their privacy rights as outlined by HIPAA regulations. Thus, the statement is not considered compliant.