Which of the following is a privacy provision introduced by HITECH?

The correct answer pertains to a privacy provision introduced by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which specifically ensures that individuals can limit disclosures of their protected health information (PHI) to health plans when they pay for services out of pocket. This provision is significant because it empowers patients with greater control over their health information, allowing them to keep certain information confidential from their health insurance providers if they choose to directly pay for specific services.

This provision reflects an important shift in privacy rights, emphasizing patient autonomy and confidentiality in their healthcare decisions. It encourages patients to seek care without the fear of their privacy being compromised by disclosures made to insurance companies, fostering a more trusting relationship between patients and providers.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios that do not align with the intent and provisions of HITECH. The requirement for written requests to access PHI, the stipulation for all health information to be digitally stored, and allowing PHI disclosures without patient consent do not reflect the privacy enhancements established by the HITECH Act. HITECH focuses on strengthening privacy and security protections, rather than relaxing them.