Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Choosing not to be listed in the facility directory impacts what?

1. A patient's visibility in hospital records.

2. A patient's eligibility for inter-department transfers.

3. A patient's name being shared with visitors.

4. A patient's billing and invoicing.

The correct answer is: A patient's name being shared with visitors.

Choosing not to be listed in the facility directory primarily impacts a patient's name being shared with visitors. The facility directory is designed to provide basic information about patients to individuals inquiring about them, such as their names and general location within the hospital. If a patient opts out of this directory, their name will not be publicly accessible, meaning visitors will not be able to find out that the patient is in the facility or where they are located. This choice is part of a patient's rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is focused on protecting patient privacy. Patients have the option to request that their information be withheld from the directory, thereby enhancing their privacy and control over who can access their basic information during their stay. While the other options touch on different aspects of patient care and records, they are not directly affected by a patient’s decision regarding the facility directory. A patient’s visibility in medical records, eligibility for transfers between departments, and billing processes are managed under separate protocols and do not hinge on directory listings.