What must a covered entity provide to patients upon request regarding their PHI?

Patients have the right to access their Protected Health Information (PHI) as outlined by HIPAA regulations. This means that covered entities, such as healthcare providers and health plans, are required to provide patients with a copy of their healthcare records upon request. The ability for patients to obtain their health records is essential for transparency, allowing them to understand their medical history, treatment, and any information that has been documented by healthcare providers.

Providing a copy of healthcare records empowers patients to take an active role in their health management, enables them to share pertinent information with new healthcare providers, and allows for personal review or correction of records if there are discrepancies. This is a fundamental aspect of the patient’s rights under HIPAA, emphasizing the importance of access to one's own health information for informed decision-making regarding their health care.