Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

1. Sharing patient information for treatment

2. Sending PHI without encryption

3. Discussing patient care with a family member

4. Documenting PHI in the patient's medical record

The correct answer is: Sending PHI without encryption

Sending PHI (Protected Health Information) without encryption constitutes a violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule because it compromises the confidentiality and security of patient data. The HIPAA Privacy Rule mandates that healthcare providers take necessary measures to protect sensitive health information from unauthorized access or breaches. Encryption serves as a critical safeguard that protects electronic PHI by encoding the information, making it unreadable to unauthorized individuals. When PHI is transmitted without this protective measure, it increases the risk of interception and potential misuse, thereby violating the standards set forth by HIPAA to protect patient privacy. In contrast, sharing patient information for treatment, discussing patient care with family members under appropriate circumstances, and documenting PHI in a patient's medical record are generally permissible activities under HIPAA, provided that they comply with the established regulations and the patient has given consent where necessary.