What is a requirement before sharing protected health information (PHI)?

Verifying your authority before sharing protected health information (PHI) is essential to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations. This requirement safeguards patient privacy by confirming that only authorized individuals are permitted to access or disclose sensitive health information. Health care providers and their staff must authenticate their role and determine whether they have the necessary permissions within the organizational policies and HIPAA guidelines. By confirming authority, health entities can maintain the confidentiality and integrity of PHI, reducing the risk of unauthorized disclosures that could lead to privacy breaches or penalties.

The emphasis on authority verification aligns with HIPAA's goal of protecting patient information and ensuring that disclosures are made responsibly, based on a legitimate need to know. This step is a critical part of fostering trust in the healthcare relationship, both from patients and among providers.