Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What does HIPAA allow patients to do?

1. Access their medical records

2. Choose their healthcare providers

3. Regulate healthcare costs

4. Participate in health insurance negotiations

The correct answer is: Access their medical records

The correct choice is significant because HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was established to protect patient privacy and give patients greater control over their health information. One of the key provisions of HIPAA is that it grants patients the right to access their medical records and request amendments to them. This empowers patients to be informed about their health data, which is essential for effective communication and participation in their health care. While it’s true that patients have the right to choose their healthcare providers, this is not a direct provision under HIPAA. Instead, it falls under broader rights related to patient autonomy and may be governed by other regulations. Furthermore, regulating healthcare costs and participating in health insurance negotiations are areas typically governed by other legislation and regulations rather than directly by HIPAA, which primarily focuses on privacy and security of health information.