What must healthcare providers obtain before disclosing PHI?

Healthcare providers are required to obtain a patient’s consent before disclosing Protected Health Information (PHI) due to privacy regulations, primarily those outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law emphasizes the importance of protecting individuals’ health information and mandates that patients have control over their personal health data.

Obtaining consent ensures that patients are aware of how their information will be used and shared. It also helps maintain trust in the patient-provider relationship. In most cases, a patient must be informed of the potential disclosures of their PHI and agree to them before any information is shared with other entities, such as insurance companies or third parties.

Other options, such as requiring insurance company approval, government authorization, or a third-party review do not align with the fundamental principles of patient privacy and control over personal health information established under HIPAA. While there are specific instances where certain disclosures may require additional approval or oversight, the primary requirement for disclosure of PHI rests on obtaining the patient’s consent.