Which statement reflects a principle closely associated with privacy rights under HIPAA?

• A. The right to obtain a copy of the health record
• B. The right to access information held by others
• C. The right to limit the disclosure of personal information
• D. The right to a blanket disclosure of all health information

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is how HIPAA gives individuals control over how their health information is shared. The statement about limiting the disclosure of personal information best reflects this privacy control. Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, individuals can request that a covered entity restrict certain disclosures of their PHI to others, such as family members or other providers, and in some situations to a health plan. The entity may agree or deny based on the circumstances, but the right to seek such restrictions is a core privacy protection.

In contrast, the right to obtain a copy of your health record focuses on access to your information, not on limiting its sharing. The notion of a blanket disclosure of all health information would undermine privacy protections and is not consistent with HIPAA. The idea of accessing information held by others isn’t a HIPAA-protected right, since HIPAA governs PHI held by covered entities, not third-party information.