Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a right of individuals regarding their PHI under HIPAA?

1. To amend their records when desired

2. To restrict disclosures to third parties

3. To have their PHI deleted upon request

4. To obtain an accounting of disclosures

The correct answer is: To have their PHI deleted upon request

The right of individuals regarding their Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA includes several important components designed to protect their privacy and control over their health information. While individuals do have rights to request amendments to their records, restrict disclosures, and obtain an accounting of disclosures, the right to have their PHI deleted upon request is not included under HIPAA regulations. HIPAA grants individuals the right to amend their medical records if they believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete, which supports the accuracy of their health information. Additionally, individuals can request restrictions on disclosures to third parties, although healthcare providers are not obligated to agree to all requested restrictions. The accounting of disclosures allows individuals to know who has accessed their PHI, further promoting transparency. However, there is no provision under HIPAA that allows individuals the right to have their PHI completely deleted upon request. While individuals may have rights regarding their records, the law recognizes the necessity of retaining certain information for legal, medical, and administrative purposes. The inability to delete PHI acknowledges the importance of maintaining comprehensive medical records for continuity of care and public health safety.