Question

The rationale for the Privacy Rule's allowance of TPO uses and disclosures includes which of the following (select all the correct responses):

A) Health care operations are only allowed for health plans.
B) Patient consent is required before a CE can engage in TPO activities.
C) Payment is essential to a CE's ability to render treatment or provide insurance coverage.
D) Effective treatment depends of the free exchange of PHI among health care providers.

Answer 1

The rationale for the Privacy Rule's allowance of TPO uses and disclosures includes payment being essential for treatment and the free exchange of PHI among healthcare providers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rationale for the Privacy Rule's allowance of TPO (Treatment, Payment, and Operations) uses and disclosures in health care includes the following:

• C) Payment is essential to a CE's ability to render treatment or provide insurance coverage. Reimbursement from insurers is necessary for healthcare providers to be able to offer treatment and insurance coverage.
• D) Effective treatment depends on the free exchange of PHI (Protected Health Information) among healthcare providers. Sharing relevant patient information among healthcare providers ensures coordinated and comprehensive care.

The Privacy Rule does not require patient consent for TPO activities (option B). Additionally, health care operations are not limited to health plans; they include various types of healthcare providers (option A).