American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)?

1. A department regulating pharmaceutical companies

2. A governing body overseeing hospital administration

3. A federal agency that enforces health information privacy laws

4. A third-party insurance review organization

The correct answer is: A federal agency that enforces health information privacy laws

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is primarily known as a federal agency responsible for enforcing health information privacy laws, particularly those outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Its role is to ensure individual rights when it comes to their health information, promoting privacy and security standards. By overseeing compliance with these health information privacy laws, the OCR protects patients’ rights and ensures that their sensitive health information is handled appropriately by healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities. This responsibility encompasses investigations into complaints, conducting audits, and enforcing the regulations to safeguard patient information. The other options do not accurately reflect the mission or function of the OCR. For example, the first choice refers to regulating pharmaceutical companies, which falls under the jurisdiction of agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The second choice pertains to hospital administration oversight, which may involve different governing bodies that ensure operational compliance rather than focusing on health information privacy. Lastly, a third-party insurance review organization typically deals with insurance claims and coverage decisions, rather than the enforcement of privacy laws surrounding health information.