Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

What action should a medical assistant take before disclosing patient information to a family member?

1. Confirm the family member's relationship

2. Check the medical history

3. Verify authorization on HIPAA forms

4. Ask the patient for permission again

The correct answer is: Verify authorization on HIPAA forms

The correct action for a medical assistant to take before disclosing patient information to a family member is to verify authorization on HIPAA forms. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes strict guidelines regarding patient privacy and the sharing of health information. Before any protected health information (PHI) is shared, it is crucial to ensure that proper authorization has been obtained from the patient, typically reflected in the HIPAA forms that outline who can receive the patient's information. This step not only safeguards the patient's privacy but also legally protects the healthcare provider from unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. HIPAA dictates that family members do not automatically have the right to access a patient’s medical information, even if they are related. Therefore, confirming the presence of proper authorization is an essential step in complying with legal requirements and ensuring respect for patient confidentiality. In contrast, simply confirming the family member's relationship or checking the medical history does not suffice to grant permission for disclosure, as those actions do not address the legal aspect of patient consent. Asking the patient for permission again, although respectful, may not align with the established protocols if prior authorization is already documented within the HIPAA forms. This highlights the importance of adhering to legal standards when it comes to sharing medical information