The Privacy Rule generally requires covered entities to limit uses, disclosures, or requests of PHI to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose. True or False?

The statement is accurate because the Privacy Rule, established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), mandates that covered entities—such as healthcare providers, insurers, and health care clearinghouses—limit the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) to the minimum necessary amount to achieve the intended purpose. This principle is fundamental to protecting patient privacy, as it ensures that individuals' health information is accessed and shared only when absolutely required, thereby reducing the risk of inappropriate or unauthorized disclosures.

The minimum necessary standard applies broadly and is not limited solely to sensitive information, nor does it vary based on specific situations as the other options might suggest. Rather, it is a core component of HIPAA’s emphasis on safeguarding individuals’ health information across all scenarios where PHI is utilized or disclosed.