When can a patient instruct their provider not to share treatment information with their health plan?

The correct choice reflects a key provision under HIPAA regulations, which allows patients to instruct their healthcare provider not to disclose treatment information to their health plan if they are paying out-of-pocket for the services received.

This is an important option available to patients seeking confidentiality regarding their healthcare services. When a patient opts to pay in cash for a visit, they have the right to request that their health information be kept private from their health plan. This ultimately allows the patient greater control over their personal health information, especially in situations where they may want to prevent their insurance from being billed, which could lead to potential privacy concerns or increase premiums.

The other choices do not accurately represent the situation regarding patient control over their treatment information. Emergency treatment typically involves a need for immediate medical attention and is usually shared with health plans for coverage purposes. Written instructions by the patient can be significant, but the specific regulation directly related to not sharing treatment information in exchange for cash payment is clearer and more widely applicable. Lastly, stating that information must always be shared contradicts a fundamental principle of HIPAA that affords patients rights over their own health information, particularly in financial matters regarding payment.