Medical Auditing Practice Exam

What does HIPAA's "minimum necessary" standard require of healthcare employees?

1. Full disclosure of all patient information

2. Compliance with policies limiting PHI access

3. Sharing information freely to improve care

4. Coding only for necessary services

The correct answer is: Compliance with policies limiting PHI access

HIPAA's "minimum necessary" standard is a key component designed to protect patients' privacy by mandating that healthcare employees only access, use, or disclose the minimum amount of Protected Health Information (PHI) necessary to perform their job functions. This principle is rooted in the belief that limiting access to PHI can help reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure and mitigate potential harm to patients' privacy. The requirement for compliance with policies that limit PHI access reflects an organization's commitment to adhere to HIPAA regulations. It ensures that healthcare personnel are trained and aware of the specific types of information they need to perform their duties while safeguarding patients' sensitive information. By following this standard, healthcare employees are helping to create a culture of privacy and security in the healthcare setting. In contrast, full disclosure of all patient information would violate the fundamental principle of confidentiality upheld by HIPAA. Sharing information freely could lead to breaches of patient privacy, undermining the very purpose of the regulation. Finally, coding only for necessary services focuses on billing accuracy rather than addressing the broader concerns of privacy and information access governed by HIPAA.