Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is a correct statement about HIPAA?

1. It mandates the release of all mental health records to patients.

2. It provides federal protections for personal health information.

3. It applies only to healthcare providers who bill patients directly.

4. It grants patients unlimited access to all types of medical records.

The correct answer is: It provides federal protections for personal health information.

The statement regarding HIPAA that provides federal protections for personal health information is accurate. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted to safeguard individuals' medical records and other personal health information. This regulation ensures that patients' information is kept confidential and secure, and it outlines how healthcare providers, health plans, and other covered entities must handle and protect this sensitive data. Through HIPAA, individuals have specific rights concerning their health information, such as the right to access their medical records, the right to request corrections to their records, and the right to know who has accessed their information. However, these rights are framed within certain guidelines and limits set by HIPAA, emphasizing the importance of balancing patient access with necessary privacy protections. The other options reflect misconceptions about HIPAA's provisions. The act does not mandate full disclosure of all mental health records, nor does it limit its applicability solely to healthcare providers who bill patients directly. Additionally, while patients have the right to access their medical records, this access is subject to specific limitations and conditions, not unlimited as suggested.