Final answer:
Releasing medical records without patient consent is illegal under HIPAA, except under certain circumstances such as public health investigations. Entities managing health records must protect patient privacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The release of medical records without a patient's knowledge and permission is generally a violation of privacy laws, specifically the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA sets standards for the protection of patient information and requires entities that manage health information to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records, making unauthorized disclosure illegal.
Exceptions to this rule do exist. For example, epidemiologists with the public health office may access certain health records without explicit consent for public health surveillance and investigations. Additionally, healthcare providers may share digital records to improve the quality and reduce the cost of healthcare, but they must still adhere to HIPAA regulations. It's crucial to understand that any release of information should be carefully evaluated for legal compliance and ethical considerations.