Final answer:
Covered Entities (CE) must have policies & procedures in place to protect PHI according to HIPAA. This includes healthcare providers and insurers, who must maintain the confidentiality of health records.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires that Covered Entities (CE) must have policies & procedures in place to protect Protected Health Information (PHI). Covered Entities include organizations like healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and certain business associates who have access to patient information and provide support in treatment, payment, or operations. These entities must ensure PHI's confidentiality, integrity, and security and comply with HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules.
When it comes to health records and patient privacy, it is essential to address how policies can balance treatment costs, quality of life, and privacy risks. It is also important to consider exceptions to information sharing rules, such as under the Freedom of Information Act, where medical records might be withheld, and the potential legal and ethical implications of patient privacy versus public health concerns in the case of communicable diseases.