What is a doctor’s responsibility if a patient requests restrictions on the use of his or
her PHI?
A. The doctor must comply with the patient’s wishes.
B. The doctor need not comply with the patient’s wishes if HIPAA would otherwise
permit restrictions.
C. The doctor must comply with the patient’s wishes if the patient has good cause.
D. Since HIPAA doesn’t address this issue, the doctor is free to decide on a case-bycase
basis.
I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING THIS I'M THINKING B.
B doesn't make any sense to me.
Isn't the best answer A?
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the question and the options given.
The question is asking about a doctor's responsibility when a patient requests restrictions on the use of their PHI (Protected Health Information). PHI includes any information that can be used to identify an individual, such as their medical records, test results, or other health-related information.
Now let's analyze the options:
A. The doctor must comply with the patient's wishes.
This option suggests that the doctor is obligated to follow the patient's request for restrictions. However, this may not always be the case, as there are certain circumstances under which HIPAA permits the release of PHI without patient authorization.
B. The doctor need not comply with the patient's wishes if HIPAA would otherwise permit restrictions.
This option acknowledges that HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) defines specific situations where PHI can be disclosed without the patient's consent. If HIPAA allows for the disclosure, the doctor does not necessarily have to comply with the patient's wishes for restrictions.
C. The doctor must comply with the patient's wishes if the patient has good cause.
This option suggests that the doctor should comply with the patient's request only if there is a valid reason or good cause. However, HIPAA provides specific guidelines for disclosing PHI and does not explicitly require good cause.
D. Since HIPAA doesn't address this issue, the doctor is free to decide on a case-by-case basis.
This option states that HIPAA does not offer guidance on this specific issue, leaving the decision to the doctor's discretion for each individual case.
Based on the options given and the understanding of HIPAA regulations, option B seems to be the most accurate response. The doctor does not have to comply with the patient's request for restrictions on the use of their PHI if HIPAA permits the disclosure.