Can a covered entity disclose an entire medical record?

The correct answer highlights that a covered entity can disclose an entire medical record only if it can be justified as necessary for a specific purpose. This aligns with the principles established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which governs the privacy and security of health information. HIPAA permits the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) under certain conditions, particularly when it serves a legitimate business need, such as for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, or when required by law.

This means that any request for an entire medical record must be carefully evaluated to ensure it meets these criteria, balancing the need for patient privacy with the necessity of sharing pertinent medical information for legitimate reasons. Simply having a request from a patient does not automatically justify disclosing the entire record without assessing whether the full record is necessary for the stated purpose.

Other options do not capture the nuanced requirements of HIPAA. For instance, indicating that a covered entity can disclose the entire medical record without justification overlooks the foundational legal obligation to protect patient information. Similarly, stating that no part of the record can be disclosed fails to recognize the circumstances under which disclosing information is permissible through informed consent or legal requirements.