Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What does access privilege to protected health information allow an individual to do?

1. View all patient records

2. Enter a computer system for authorized purposes

3. Create new health information

4. Share information with third parties

The correct answer is: Enter a computer system for authorized purposes

Access privilege to protected health information specifically allows an individual to enter a computer system for authorized purposes. This means that individuals who have been granted this privilege can log into secure systems to perform their jobs, which may include accessing patient data necessary for healthcare delivery, while adhering to established security protocols and regulations. This access is typically governed by a need-to-know basis, allowing only those individuals whose roles require interaction with patient information to access such data. For instance, healthcare providers may need to access patient records to deliver care, whereas administrative staff might only need to enter data rather than view all patient records. The other choices reflect actions that may not be represented accurately under the concept of access privileges. For example, viewing all patient records may not be appropriate for every individual, as there are often restrictions based on specific roles. Creating new health information typically requires permission beyond mere access. Similarly, sharing information with third parties usually involves additional consent and must comply with privacy regulations under HIPAA, which limits how and with whom protected health information can be shared.