Can limited PHI about a patient be shared with a person that is not a friend or family member?

The correct answer indicates that limited Protected Health Information (PHI) about a patient can be shared with a person not considered a friend or family member if it is deemed to be in the patient's best interest. This aligns with HIPAA regulations, which allow for the sharing of PHI in certain situations where it serves the welfare of the patient.

For instance, healthcare professionals may find themselves in scenarios where disclosing limited information to a caregiver or a third-party service provider is essential for the patient’s care or safety. The key aspect of this choice is the focus on the patient's best interest, which can include emergency situations or cases where the patient has authorized such sharing.

This option reflects the underlying principle of HIPAA, which acknowledges that there are circumstances where sharing limited PHI can benefit the patient, especially when it facilitates better healthcare outcomes. The notion of 'best interest' ensures that even though the information is shared, the patient's rights and wellbeing remain a priority.

Other choices might imply restrictive or overly permissive scenarios that do not align with HIPAA's intent to protect patient privacy while allowing for necessary information sharing in appropriate contexts.