The privacy of a medical record is protected by what?

• A. Federal laws.
• B. State building codes.
• C. Local business licenses.
• D. International trade treaties.

Answer: (A)

The privacy of medical records is protected primarily by federal laws. In the United States, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets nationwide standards for how patient health information (PHI) can be used and disclosed. It defines who must follow the rules (such as doctors, hospitals, health plans, and their business associates), what protections must be in place, and the rights patients have over their own records, including access, corrections, and tracking disclosures. It also establishes penalties for violations and requires safeguards to prevent unauthorized access.

Building codes deal with the safety of the physical facility, not information privacy. Local business licenses cover operating permissions, not health data. International trade treaties relate to cross-border commerce and data in specific contexts, not routine medical record privacy.