According to HIPAA regulations, which of the following is required of healthcare professionals?

According to HIPAA regulations, which of the following is required of healthcare professionals?

• A. Employ a designated marketing officer
• B. Devise a system to properly secure protected information
• C. Require patients to submit their medical records in person
• D. Authorize employees to disclose any patient information freely

Answer: (B)

The requirement for healthcare professionals to devise a system to properly secure protected information is a core principle of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA mandates that covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, implement safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information (PHI). This includes utilizing administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. By establishing a system to secure protected information, healthcare professionals are taking necessary steps to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that sensitive patient data is managed responsibly. This not only protects patients' privacy rights but also helps organizations remain compliant with federal laws, avoiding potential penalties or breaches. The other options do not align with HIPAA's requirements. There is no obligation to employ a designated marketing officer or require patients to submit their medical records in person, nor does HIPAA authorize employees to disclose patient information freely, as doing so would violate patients' privacy protections put in place by the law.

The requirement for healthcare professionals to devise a system to properly secure protected information is a core principle of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA mandates that covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, implement safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information (PHI). This includes utilizing administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.

By establishing a system to secure protected information, healthcare professionals are taking necessary steps to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that sensitive patient data is managed responsibly. This not only protects patients' privacy rights but also helps organizations remain compliant with federal laws, avoiding potential penalties or breaches.

The other options do not align with HIPAA's requirements. There is no obligation to employ a designated marketing officer or require patients to submit their medical records in person, nor does HIPAA authorize employees to disclose patient information freely, as doing so would violate patients' privacy protections put in place by the law.