Trivia Quiz Questions: Can You Pass This HIPAA Exam?
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Did you know that HIPAA allows you to deem who may speak on your behalf in a case where you got into an accident that leaves you unable to communicate? A medical practitioner needs to know in detail what is expected of them when it comes to HIPAA. Can you pass this HIPAA exam? The best way to find out is if you press the start button and find out!
- 1.
If HIPAA does not expressly prohibit the use of confidential information learned about a patient, you do not have an obligation to protect it.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Even if you may not technically be under a “legal” obligation to protect confidential information about a patient, everyone in the healthcare industry has an ethical obligation to protect the confidentiality of information learned about patients.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Under HIPAA, information that could reasonably identify a patient includes:
- A.
The zip code of the patient
- B.
The patient's date of birth
- C.
The patient's Medicare ID number
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
All of the information cited in A-C could be used to identify a patient. Under HIPAA, individually identifiable information includes any information that actually identifies the patient, such as a name, or any information about which there is a “reasonable basis” to believe that the information can be used to identify the individual.Rate this question:
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- 3.
A patient has all of the following rights concerning their protected health information:
- A.
The right to access the patient’s own patient care report by contacting your service’s privacy officer
- B.
The right to review the patient care report before you submit it to the hospital
- C.
None of the above
- D.
Both A and B
Correct Answer
A. The right to access the patient’s own patient care report by contacting your service’s privacy officerExplanation
A patient has a right to review their protected health information gathered by your organization by making a request to do so, and in accordance with the organization’s policies on receiving patient requests. Answer B is incorrect because the patient does not have the right to review the patient care report before it is submitted by you to the hospital.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Once an EMT generates a patient care report, s/he is permitted to do the following with the document:
- A.
Make a personal copy for the EMT’s own files
- B.
Share the report with another staff member at the organization who has a legitimate need to see the information for the purpose of billing the transport.
- C.
Share the report with another coworker who was not on the trip and who is curious about the patient.
- D.
Crumple the paper copies of the electronic patient care report you may have printed and toss them into the trash can once the EMT is through with it .
Correct Answer
B. Share the report with another staff member at the organization who has a legitimate need to see the information for the purpose of billing the transport.Explanation
Under HIPAA, a covered entity is responsible to maintain all PHI and to ensure that it is only utilized for purposes permitted under the Privacy Rule. Patient information does not belong to individual members of a covered entity’s workforce, and providers may not use PHI as they please simply because they created it.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following uses would qualify as a proper use of PHI for “treatment” purposes under HIPAA?
- A.
While sitting around at the office, a paramedic decides to access the file of a call he was on a year ago because he is now curious after reading about the patient’s arrest for burglary in the newspaper .
- B.
An EMT gets back to the station after responding to a motor vehicle accident and states to another EMT who was not on the call, “Man, was that guy messed up from the accident.”
- C.
On the way to the hospital, the EMT in the patient compartment relays the condition of the patient via radio to the physician at the emergency department.
- D.
As he is unloading the patient at the hospital, EMT Smith shouts, “Outta my way everyone, we have the City Mayor on this stretcher!”
Correct Answer
C. On the way to the hospital, the EMT in the patient compartment relays the condition of the patient via radio to the physician at the emergency department.Explanation
The only scenario that presents a legitimate “treatment-related” disclosure is the situation where the EMT is relaying the condition of the patient to the ER. All of the other choices present situations where an individual was sharing healthcare information about a patient where it was not necessary for the treatment of the patient.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Before submitting a claim for reimbursement, HIPAA requires that ambulance services and billing companies get express written permission from the patient to use his/her information for this purpose.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
HIPAA allows covered entities and their business associates to utilize PHI for “payment” purposes – without the express permission of the patient - and this includes the submission of claims for reimbursement.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which of the following is the best example of adherence to the “minimum necessary” rule?
- A.
A billing professional dials a phone number she has for the patient and leaves a message on the answering machine regarding a bill and recounts all of the details about the patient transport.
- B.
An EMT calls dispatch to request directions to the location of a facility where the crew is performing a routine, non-emergent transport and the EMT also asks dispatch to radio the name, date of birth, and social security number of the patient so that he has it for his records.
- C.
Before conducting a quality improvement case review meeting, an ambulance service redacts all identifying information from patient care reports that is unnecessary for the review, including patient names, dates of birth, home addresses, etc.
- D.
When arriving at the hospital, a paramedic relays the condition of a patient to the ED staff and also proceeds to tell them that “Mr. Smith would be on his last leg if it wasn’t for all of his inherited wealth to pay for his treatment.”
Correct Answer
C. Before conducting a quality improvement case review meeting, an ambulance service redacts all identifying information from patient care reports that is unnecessary for the review, including patient names, dates of birth, home addresses, etc.Explanation
Clearly, C is the best answer because it is the only choice that evidences that the HIPAA covered entity took affirmative steps to ensure that only the minimum amount of PHI necessary to accomplish the intended purpose, here healthcare operations, was utilized. All of the other choices involve scenarios where the individuals clearly divulged more PHI than was necessary to accomplish the purpose of the disclosure.Rate this question:
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- 8.
When does HIPAA state that a new notice of privacy practices (NPP) must be furnished to a patient who has already received a copy of your organization’s NPP?
- A.
Every 12 months
- B.
Any time a new crewmember treats the patient
- C.
Whenever the patient asks for a copy of a PCR
- D.
If your agency has revised its NPP since the last time the patient received it
Correct Answer
D. If your agency has revised its NPP since the last time the patient received itExplanation
HIPAA requires that covered entities furnish a copy of its NPP the first time that the organization treats the patient and whenever the organization revises its privacy notice. This is so individuals are aware of new rights and new ways that your organization may use or disclose their PHI.Rate this question:
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- 9.
If you do not provide the patient with a notice of privacy practices (NPP) at the time of transport, you have lost your ability to provide the NPP to the patient.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
You may always follow up by sending a copy of your organization’s NPP to the patient after the transport. However, HIPAA does state that in non-emergency situations you should provide the notice to the patient no later than the date of the first service delivery.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The following individuals would generally have the same rights as the patient with respect to accessing PHI:
- A.
The patient’s legal guardian
- B.
The patient’s power of attorney
- C.
The parent of a minor patient
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
There are many times when a personal representative may act on behalf of a patient and HIPAA grants equal rights of access, amendment, etc. to these types of representatives in most cases.Rate this question:
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- 11.
A healthcare organization is required to have a HIPAA Compliance Officer or Privacy Officer in place only if the organization:
- A.
Treats over 5,000 patients a year
- B.
Deals with electronic health records
- C.
Meets the definition of a “covered entity” under HIPAA
- D.
Has over 50 employees
Correct Answer
C. Meets the definition of a “covered entity” under HIPAAExplanation
Only healthcare providers who meet the definition of a “covered entity” under HIPAA are required to have a HIPAA Compliance Officer or Privacy Officer in place. It has nothing to do with the size of the organization or whether or not the organization uses electronic health records. Healthcare providers are generally going to be “covered entities” if they (or their billing company) submit claims electronically to Medicare or other insurers.Rate this question:
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- 12.
A patient has a right to request that your organization amend his protected health information (PHI) if he feels the information is inaccurate.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Patients not only have a right to request access to their PHI, but they also have a right to request that it be amended if they feel the information is somehow inaccurate or incomplete. A covered entity is not required to agree to the request if it determines the information is accurate and complete; however, it is required to give patients an opportunity to request the amendment.Rate this question:
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- 13.
If you witness an incident that may qualify as a potential HIPAA violation, you should only report that incident if you are absolutely certain that there has been an improper use or disclosure of PHI.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
You should report any incidents where you even suspect that there has been an improper use or disclosure of PHI. Ultimately, it is up to the organization to decide whether or not a breach incident has occurred. But the organization must be made aware of any suspected or questionable HIPAA violations.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which of the following statements are false?
- A.
It would be a HIPAA violation to load more than one patient into an ambulance at a time because each patient could overhear protected health information (PHI) about the other patient.
- B.
It is ok to call into a receiving facility to relay a medical report to the ED staff on your incoming patient.
- C.
HIPAA permits the use of radio communications to relay PHI even if the public can monitor the frequencies
- D.
Communication centers may freely relay PHI to responding agencies over the airwaves for treatment purposes
Correct Answer
A. It would be a HIPAA violation to load more than one patient into an ambulance at a time because each patient could overhear protected health information (PHI) about the other patient.Explanation
This statement is false because HIPAA permits what are called “incidental disclosures.” This is, if you need to make a disclosure of PHI for an otherwise permissible purpose (such as treatment), you do not have to take drastic measures to ensure that no one else can hear the disclosure. Sometimes a patient will overhear PHI about another patient who is close by, and HIPAA recognizes this by allowing for “incidental disclosures.”Rate this question:
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- 15.
HIPAA permits the release of PHI to law enforcement officers without patient consent, pursuant to a valid:
- A.
Subpoena
- B.
Summons
- C.
Search Warrant
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
HIPAA permits covered entities to share PHI with law enforcement whenever “required by law.” State laws require that you produce information pursuant to a valid subpoena, summons, or warrant, so HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI pursuant to these types of the legal processes.Rate this question:
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- 16.
If a police officer approaches you to ask you for protected health information (PHI) about a patient who is the victim of a crime, and the patient is stable, all of the following courses of action would be appropriate, except:
- A.
Asking the patient’s permission to give PHI to the officer
- B.
Informing the police officer that he may speak with the victim so long as it would not impede care.
- C.
Telling the patient that a police officer needs medical information about him and that the patient has no choice but to answer all of the officer’s questions about his medical condition.
- D.
Asking the patient whether she wants to speak with the police officer.
Correct Answer
C. Telling the patient that a police officer needs medical information about him and that the patient has no choice but to answer all of the officer’s questions about his medical condition.Explanation
All of the courses of action would be appropriate here except for C. You should never tell patients that they have an absolute duty to disclose their protected health information to law enforcement. However, HIPAA does permit you to disclose PHI if the patient consents to the disclosure, and it also freely allows the patient to speak directly with law enforcement and disclose as much PHI as they wish.Rate this question:
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- 17.
If you are approached by law enforcement and you are unsure as to whether HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI under the circumstances, you should:
- A.
Contact the HIPAA Compliance Officer at your organization to get clarification on the matter.
- B.
Err on side of disclosing the information that the officer needs because he is a law enforcement agent
- C.
Release only demographic information about the patient
- D.
Release only general information about the patient’s condition
Correct Answer
A. Contact the HIPAA Compliance Officer at your organization to get clarification on the matter.Explanation
When in doubt about any HIPAA disclosure, you should contact your HIPAA Compliance Officer regarding the disclosure. If time does not permit, you should err on the side of not disclosing the protected health information and refer the law enforcement officer to the patient or their representative, as appropriate.Rate this question:
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- 18.
HIPAA permits you to release PHI to the media without patient authorization when you are merely confirming facts.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
HIPAA prohibits the release of any PHI to the media absent written patient authorization. You may not even disclose PHI to confirm what a reporter may claim are “facts” about an incident.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Posting information on the Internet about motor vehicle accident victims you treated while on duty is acceptable if:
- A.
You only post pictures of the patients involved, with no names or other patient identifying information with the images, as long as their faces are not recognizable.
- B.
You only post generic information about the accident and extent of the victims’ injuries
- C.
You ensure that your profile is set to private so only your friends can see the information that you have posted
- D.
None of the above is acceptable
Correct Answer
D. None of the above is acceptableExplanation
“None of the above” is the correct answer here. First of all, HIPAA does not permit the posting of PHI on any website without the patient’s express authorization. Secondly, even if you think you are not posting PHI (since you do not post any names or other identifying information), pictures and other information may nevertheless reasonably identify the patient. Finally, even if the information is not PHI, posting information on the Internet about patient-related incidents is unprofessional and may also violate your agency’s policies and state regulations.Rate this question:
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- 20.
A friend of a patient can be permitted to ride in the ambulance with the patient if the patient indicates that he does not object to having that person ride along.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
HIPAA allows covered entities to disclose PHI to a relative, friend or other person if the patient is physically present at the time and they do not object to the disclosure.Rate this question:
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- 21.
When working with other EMS providers who are also involved in treating the patient, you may share protected health information (PHI) with the other providers:
- A.
Only if you have a business associate agreement in place with the other provider and they show you the agreement.
- B.
Only if the other provider is a contracted business partner of your organization.
- C.
If sharing the information is necessary for the treatment of the patient.
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. If sharing the information is necessary for the treatment of the patient.Explanation
You may freely share PHI with other EMS providers who are providing care on scene when it is related to providing treatment to your patients. It does not matter whether or not the other organization has any other relationship to your organization.Rate this question:
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- 22.
You are permitted to convey protected health information (PHI) about a patient to an individual at a receiving facility who is involved in the patient’s care through the following method(s):
- A.
Verbally
- B.
Over the radio
- C.
By handing the receiving facility a patient care report
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
If you are relaying information to a receiving facility for the purpose of treatment, HIPAA permits you to use any means necessary to convey that information.Rate this question:
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- 23.
EMS providers may ask sending and receiving facilities for protected health information (PHI) about a patient they are transporting to another facility because:
- A.
Generally these facilities have a contractual arrangement with the ambulance services that perform transports for them.
- B.
HIPAA allows PHI to be freely shared between healthcare providers who are treating the patient
- C.
EMS providers are required by HIPAA to gather as much PHI about a patient as they can.
- D.
If the patient wants to look at his record from the facility at some point in the future, the ambulance service is obligated under HIPAA to provide it to the patient .
Correct Answer
B. HIPAA allows PHI to be freely shared between healthcare providers who are treating the patientExplanation
Because the EMS providers are involved in the treatment when they conduct an interfacility transport, they have a right to view any information that would aid in the treatment of the patient.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Billing personnel may not discuss protected health information (PHI) with a patient concerning the patient’s ambulance transport because billing staff are not healthcare providers.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Billing personnel are permitted under HIPAA to share patient information with patients if they request it. One of the fundamental rights under HIPAA is the right of the patient to have access to his/her own protected health information (PHI).Rate this question:
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- 25.
Covered entities are required to implement which of the following safeguards regarding electronic protected health information (PHI):
- A.
Physical safeguards to protect things like computer file servers and other physical file locations.
- B.
Technical safeguards such as password security, automatic logoff features and other security measures.
- C.
Administrative safeguards such as policies and procedures about protecting electronic PHI that should be followed by all workforce members at the organization
- D.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
D. All of the above.Explanation
The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to implement three main types of safeguards to protect electronic protected health information (e-PHI). They are: physical, technical, and administrative safeguards.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jan 30, 2014Quiz Created by
Priorityambtrain
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