American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What is one of the primary functions of the OCR?

1. To regulate insurance premiums

2. To protect patient privacy

3. To manage hospital finances

4. To oversee medical billing

The correct answer is: To protect patient privacy

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is primarily responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws and protecting the privacy and security of patients' health information, specifically under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). One of its key functions is ensuring that healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities comply with privacy regulations that safeguard patient information. This includes investigating complaints about violations of patient privacy and providing guidance and education to covered entities to ensure that they uphold the standards set forth in HIPAA. The focus on protecting patient privacy is crucial in the healthcare industry, as it helps to foster trust between patients and healthcare providers while ensuring that sensitive information is not disclosed without appropriate authorization. Other options, such as regulating insurance premiums, managing hospital finances, and overseeing medical billing, do not fall under the OCR's primary responsibilities, which specifically center around civil rights and privacy protection in healthcare.