Final answer:
Medical professionals providing care have the right to immediate access to patient medical records, in line with HIPAA's privacy regulations. Other entities require consent or legal authority to access these records.
Step-by-step explanation:
The only entity entitled to immediate access to patient medical records is D) Medical professionals providing care. This is in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) designed to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of patient health information. Medical professionals need immediate access to patient records in order to provide appropriate care. However, other entities such as insurance companies, patient's lawyers, or family members typically require the patient's consent or a legal mandate to access these records.
It's also worth noting that one of the reasonable exceptions to the Freedom of Information Act pertains to medical records, indicating the level of protection these records are given under the law. The preservation of patient privacy is considered of utmost importance.