Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Under HIPAA, which scenario requires patient authorization?

1. Sharing information for treatment

2. Sending information for payment processing

3. Using health information for research

4. Disclosing information for healthcare operations

The correct answer is: Using health information for research

Under HIPAA, patient authorization is specifically required in situations where health information is being used for research purposes. This is because research often involves accessing private health information that may not directly relate to the patient's ongoing care. The need for authorization is a safeguard to protect patient privacy and ensure that individuals are fully informed about how their information will be used outside of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, which have more lenient standards under HIPAA. In cases involving treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, HIPAA allows for certain disclosures without needing explicit patient authorization because these activities are essential for providing healthcare services and managing the associated processes. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of patient consent when their health information is being utilized for purposes that extend beyond direct care or standard operations.