Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Practice Exam

It's OK for protected health information to be...

1. Shared with all family members

2. Kept confidential from anyone who does not have a lawful reason to access it

3. Displayed in public areas for transparency

4. Discussed openly in community meetings

The correct answer is: Kept confidential from anyone who does not have a lawful reason to access it

The appropriate handling of protected health information (PHI) is guided by privacy regulations, such as those established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The correct choice emphasizes that PHI must be kept confidential and only accessible to individuals who have a lawful reason to access it. This is critical for protecting the privacy rights of individuals, ensuring that sensitive health information is not disclosed without appropriate consent or authorization. Maintaining confidentiality helps to uphold trust in health care professionals and the systems that manage patient information. In situations where individuals are privy to such information, it is essential that they are authorized or have obtained explicit permission from the individual whose health information is being discussed. The other options deviate from this principle. Sharing information with all family members may not consider the individual's wishes or legal restrictions regarding who can access their health data. Displaying PHI in public areas blatantly violates confidentiality, and discussing it openly in community meetings puts the privacy of individuals at risk, exposing sensitive information without consent. All these practices could lead to significant breaches of privacy and trust, which underscores the importance of adhering to strict confidentiality guidelines.