Final answer:
The secondary purpose of the health record is to aid in billing and reimbursement functions, while also considering treatment costs, patient quality of life, and privacy protections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The secondary purpose of the health record that the question refers to is c. Aid in billing and reimbursement functions. One of the primary uses of health records is to document patient care and manage patient treatment, but they also serve important secondary purposes such as administrative concerns and billing. Health records ensure that healthcare providers have accurate and detailed information when submitting claims for reimbursement. They contain codes and documentation required for health insurance companies and government programs to justify the costs and services provided to the patient.
When developing policies for the management of health records, several critical factors need to be considered. These include balancing the costs of treatments and diagnoses with patient quality of life, as well as protecting individual privacy. The sharing of electronic health records among providers has been suggested as a way to improve care and reduce costs, but safeguards must be in place to maintain privacy and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive patient information.