Question

Mr. Matthews called the office to get the test results for his wife, Martha. What should the medical assistant do?

A. Tell Mr. Matthews that you cannot release the information
B. Check the medical record to see if Mr. Matthews is really Martha's husband - if so then release the information.
C. Tell Mr. Matthews the test results
D. Check the medical record to see if Mr. Matthews is authorized to have this information on Mrs. Matthews HIPAA form. if so, then release the information.

Answer 1

When Mr. Matthews calls the office to get the test results for his wife, Martha, the medical assistant should verify his identity and authorization to access the information before releasing the results.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant receives a call from Mr. Matthews inquiring about his wife, Martha's test results, it is important to handle the situation according to patient confidentiality laws, such as HIPAA in the United States.

The correct course of action is to:

1. Verify Mr. Matthews' identity by checking the medical record to see if he is listed as Martha's husband.
2. Check if Mr. Matthews is authorized to access Martha's medical information by referring to her HIPAA form.
3. If both criteria are met, the medical assistant can release the test results to Mr. Matthews.

It is essential to prioritize patient privacy and only disclose medical information to authorized individuals.