Under HIPAA, what must a HIPAA-covered provider do when responding to a subpoena?

When responding to a subpoena, a HIPAA-covered provider is required to meet the notification requirements of the Privacy Rule. This means that before disclosing any patient information, the provider must ensure that they adhere to the regulations concerning patient privacy and confidentiality outlined in HIPAA. This includes informing the patient or seeking their permission, unless there is a specific exemption that allows for disclosure without consent under the law.

Meeting these requirements ensures that patient rights are protected, and that the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) is handled appropriately and legally. It also helps to maintain the trust between patients and healthcare providers, as patients are more likely to share sensitive information when they know that their privacy will be respected and protected.

The other options would not effectively align with HIPAA regulations. For example, immediately disclosing all patient information disregards the necessary privacy protections. Notifying the media about the subpoena could violate patient confidentiality and is not a requirement under HIPAA. Ignoring a subpoena due to lack of clarity does not fulfill legal obligations and could have legal consequences. Hence, the correct course of action under HIPAA is to ensure compliance with the notification requirements of the Privacy Rule.