Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

What does the HIPAA Privacy Rule establish?

1. Standards for electronic PHI

2. Regulations for patient billing

3. Requirements for telemedicine

4. Guidelines for clinical trials

The correct answer is: Standards for electronic PHI

The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes standards for the protection of electronic Protected Health Information (PHI). This rule is a crucial component of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was enacted to safeguard patients' sensitive health information from being disclosed without their consent or knowledge. The Privacy Rule sets boundaries on the use and sharing of PHI, ensuring that individuals' privacy is protected while still allowing the flow of health information needed to provide high-quality healthcare. By defining what constitutes PHI and outlining the rights individuals have over their health information, the Privacy Rule empowers patients with control over their personal data. It also mandates that healthcare organizations implement specific safeguards and policies to protect this information, thereby promoting trust in the healthcare system. The other options pertain to different regulations and guidelines that do not fall under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. For instance, regulations for patient billing relate to financial aspects of healthcare and are governed by other regulations. Requirements for telemedicine focus on the provision of healthcare services remotely and the use of technology in that context, while guidelines for clinical trials deal with research ethics and the management of clinical study data. Each of these topics has its own regulatory framework separate from the protections established under the HIPAA Privacy Rule.