When a patient submits a request to access their PHI, a healthcare provider should?

The correct response to the question emphasizes the importance of a healthcare provider’s obligation under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to enable patients to access their Protected Health Information (PHI). When a patient submits a request to access their PHI, healthcare providers are required to respond appropriately rather than dismiss the request.

The choice to ignore the request violates the patient's rights under HIPAA, which specifically mandates that individuals have the right to access their medical records. Furthermore, while providing only the most relevant information may seem reasonable, HIPAA dictates that patients are entitled to receive a complete copy of their PHI unless specific exceptions apply.

Moreover, the notion of revoking access to sensitive information contradicts the access rights granted under HIPAA, which balances patients' rights to access their information with the protection of their privacy. Sensitive information may require careful handling, but it does not eliminate the patient’s right to see their data.

Thus, the correct interpretation of the situation is that a healthcare provider must fulfill the request for access and ensure that patients can view their entire medical record, barring specific, justifiable, and documented reasons for withholding certain details. This would align with the essential principles of transparency, patient rights, and trust in the healthcare