What must healthcare employees obtain before disclosing PHI to a third party for reasons other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations?

Written authorization from the patient is necessary before a healthcare employee can disclose protected health information (PHI) to a third party for reasons that do not fall under the categories of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. This requirement is established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to ensure that individuals’ medical information remains confidential and protected.

Obtaining written authorization ensures that patients have a clear understanding of what information will be shared, with whom, and for what purpose. This process empowers patients, giving them control over their own health information and fostering trust in the healthcare system. Without this authorization, disclosing PHI could lead to violations of patient privacy rights, resulting in penalties for healthcare providers.

Other options, such as oral consent, referrals from other providers, or approval from compliance officers, may not provide the necessary legal protection or patient awareness required under HIPAA regulations for disclosures beyond standard treatment, payment, or operations.