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Question
A patient calls the medical office and asks the medical assistant to fax her recent lab results to her new primary care physician. What must the medical assistant do before releasing the records?
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Answer
A.Verify the patient's identity over the phone and fax the records immediately
B.Ask the physician to call before sending any information
C.Refuse the request because lab results cannot be shared between providers
D.Obtain a signed written authorization from the patient specifying what records to release and to whom
HIPAA requires a signed, written authorization before releasing PHI to a third party, even at the patient's request. Verbal authorization alone is not sufficient. Records can be shared with other providers for continuity of care, but proper documentation must be obtained first.