When is it permissible for healthcare providers to share PHI without patient consent?

Sharing protected health information (PHI) without patient consent is permissible in certain circumstances outlined by laws and regulations governing healthcare privacy. One of the primary contexts where this is allowed is related to public health reporting or when mandated by law.

In cases of public health reporting, healthcare providers have a responsibility to report certain information to health authorities to protect the public health. This includes reporting communicable diseases, potential outbreaks, and other vital data necessary for public health surveillance and intervention. Legal requirements might also encompass situations such as court orders, subpoenas, or other legal obligations that necessitate the disclosure of PHI to comply with regulations or investigations.

The other choices do not align with the established legal framework for PHI disclosure. For instance, sharing PHI for the healthcare provider's benefit or based solely on a patient's verbal agreement lacks the necessary legal backing. Additionally, while PHI can indeed be shared for billing purposes, it typically requires at least some level of patient consent or notice, depending on the situation, thus distinguishing it from the broader legal allowances associated with public health and law enforcement.