American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Under HIPAA, which activity does not require minimum necessary information?

1. Payment verification

2. Public health activities

3. Research projects

4. Marketing campaigns

The correct answer is: Public health activities

The determination that public health activities do not require minimum necessary information under HIPAA is grounded in the intent and necessity of such activities. Public health activities are generally aimed at overseeing and promoting the health of the population. These activities can include tracking disease outbreaks, reporting on public health threats, and conducting health assessments. In these scenarios, sharing and accessing data that may not meet the minimum necessary criteria is often essential for effectively safeguarding public health, which necessitates full access to relevant health information. This is due to the nature of public health work, which typically carries a broader scope aimed at protecting and promoting the health and safety of entire communities, rather than focusing solely on individual care. On the other hand, activities like payment verification, research projects, and marketing campaigns are generally more sensitive and tailored to individual patient needs or interests, where using only the minimum necessary information is essential to protect patient privacy and ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations. This differentiation highlights the unique requirements in public health compared to other types of healthcare activities.