Under what circumstances can covered entities disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) without a signed authorization?

The ability of covered entities to disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) without a signed authorization is primarily governed by the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). One of the critical components of HIPAA is that it allows disclosures for specific purposes deemed necessary and essential to healthcare functions.

Disclosing PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations is one of the foundational principles of HIPAA. This means that healthcare providers can share patient information with other providers involved in the patient's care (treatment), with insurance companies for billing purposes (payment), and for various functions that help maintain the operations of the healthcare practice (healthcare operations). This encompasses a broad range of activities such as quality assessment, case management, and conducting administrative activities.

While disclosures for public health risks and research purposes are also permissible under HIPAA, they fall under separate specific exceptions and do not broadly apply to routine operations without proper authorization. Therefore, the option that encompasses the overarching scope of allowed disclosures without individual consent is the one that includes treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. This understanding helps ensure that healthcare entities can function efficiently while still respecting patients' privacy rights.