This article will examine the HIPAA Security Rule and determine which of the following statements are true. The HIPAA Security Rule is a set of regulations that exists to protect the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI). The regulations are designed to ensure that PHI remains private and secure in all situations, and that individuals are not able to access this information without authorization.

Privacy Rule

The HIPAA Privacy Rule is part of the HIPAA Security Rule and states that PHI cannot be used or disclosed without a patient’s consent or authorization. The Privacy Rule requires that all PHI is stored securely and is only used for its intended purpose. This means that covered entities (health care providers and healthcare plans) and their business associates (third-party contractors who interact with PHI) must have adequate safeguards in place to protect PHI.

True Statements

The following statements about the HIPAA Security Rule are true:

• The HIPAA Security Rule requires physicians to protect patients’ electronically stored, protected health information (ePHI).
• The HIPAA Privacy Rule permits a covered entity to exclude certain components from covered status if they do not perform “covered functions.”
• The HIPAA Privacy Rule does not permit covered entities, including pharmacists, to use identifiable health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations without patient consent or authorization.

False Statements

The following statements about the HIPAA Security Rule are false:

• The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to disclose all PHI without patient consent or authorization.
• The HIPAA Privacy Rule permits a covered entity to use identifiable health information for any purpose without patient consent or authorization.
• The HIPAA Security Rule does not require physicians to protect patients’ electronically stored, protected health information (ePHI).

Conclusion

The HIPAA Security Rule is an important set of regulations that exist to protect the privacy and security of PHI. It is important that both covered entities and their business associates are aware of the Security Rule and that they follow its regulations. The statements listed above provide a brief overview of the HIPAA Security Rule and help to identify which statements are true and which are false.