Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Exam Practice Question

A patient undergoes a comprehensive physical examination as a requirement for insurance. The next day, an agent of the insurance company calls the office to request a copy of the results. The medical assistant should do which of the following?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Requesting the patient’s authorized release of the report is essential to comply with HIPAA regulations, which protect patient privacy. Without this authorization, sharing medical information is prohibited.

Asking the physician for permission (Option B) does not suffice, as patient consent is the primary requirement for releasing medical records. Informing the agent about the need for a subpoena (Option C) is unnecessary in this context, as it implies a legal process that is not warranted when patient authorization is available. Mailing a consent form (Option D) is not appropriate, as the agent should provide an existing authorization instead. Lastly, mailing the report directly (Option E) violates privacy laws without patient consent.

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