National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Practice Exam

What is one of the primary principles of HIPAA regarding individual health information?

1. It must be kept private and confidential

2. It should be part of the individual's medical record

3. It should be checked annually for medical errors

4. It must be stored electronically for sharing

The correct answer is: It must be kept private and confidential

One of the primary principles of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is the requirement for individual health information to be kept private and confidential. HIPAA was established to protect individuals' medical records and other personal health information. This principle ensures that health information is shared only with authorized parties and that individuals have control over their personal health data. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality not only safeguards patients' rights but also fosters trust in the healthcare system. The other options, while related to health information management, do not encapsulate the core objective of HIPAA. For instance, including health information in an individual's medical record or storing it electronically does not inherently address the need for protecting privacy. Additionally, checking for medical errors annually relates to quality assurance rather than confidentiality and privacy of individual health information. Therefore, the emphasis on privacy and confidentiality stands as a fundamental tenet of HIPAA.