Final answer:
A patient release is necessary when sending medical records through email, fax, secure online portal, or postal mail, as required by HIPAA and other privacy laws. Certain exceptions apply under laws like the FOIA.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient release is required if you are sending the patient's medical records to another party, regardless of the method used. This includes methods such as Email, Fax, Secure Online Portal, and Postal Mail. The privacy of electronic health information is protected by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which require that patient information is shared or transferred securely and with the patient's consent, except in certain situations where disclosure is permitted or required by law. One such exception might include the release of medical records for government employees under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), though even then some information might be protected due to its sensitive nature.