A discharged patient emails a coder directly asking for a full copy of the inpatient record. What should the coder do?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Patients do have a right to their records—but a coder is not the ROI desk. Hand the request to the official release process instead of freelancing an email dump. Right of access still needs the right doorway.
Full Explanation
HIPAA grants individuals a right of access to their protected health information, yet covered entities designate processes and often a release-of-information function to fulfill requests compliantly. Coders should not independently email or otherwise release complete records outside those procedures. Proper routing protects identity verification, accounting of disclosures, and secure transmission requirements.