Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What happens to a patient's PHI when they are transferred to a new healthcare provider?

1. It can be freely shared with the new provider

2. It is still protected under HIPAA rules

3. It is completely deleted from the system

4. No access is granted unless the patient signs consent

The correct answer is: It is still protected under HIPAA rules

When a patient is transferred to a new healthcare provider, their Protected Health Information (PHI) remains protected under HIPAA regulations. This means that any health information that can identify the patient is still subject to the privacy standards set forth by HIPAA, ensuring it is safeguarded against unauthorized access or disclosure. This protection continues even when the patient transitions to a new provider. The new provider is required to maintain the confidentiality and security of the patient's PHI. Access to this information typically occurs under specific circumstances, such as for treatment purposes, when the patient may have consented to share their information, or in compliance with other legal standards. The idea that PHI can be freely shared assumes a lack of necessary privacy safeguards that HIPAA enforces, and it is also inaccurate to suggest that PHI is entirely deleted. Additionally, access restrictions related to patient consent would not apply universally in every case. Thus, the ongoing protection of PHI under HIPAA is essential for maintaining a patient's trust in their healthcare interactions as they move to new providers.