Health Information Personnel Practice Test

What is a release of information (ROI)?

1. A method of patient record retention

2. The process of permitting the sharing of a patient's health information

3. A type of health insurance claim

4. An overview of patient medical history

The correct answer is: The process of permitting the sharing of a patient's health information

A release of information (ROI) refers to the process whereby a patient grants permission for their health information to be shared with specific individuals or entities. This is a critical aspect of healthcare management as it ensures that patient confidentiality is upheld while allowing necessary information to be communicated for purposes such as treatment, payment, or other healthcare-related activities. Proper handling of ROIs is vital for compliance with laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects sensitive patient information. In this context, the other choices are related to healthcare but do not accurately define a release of information. Patient record retention involves keeping patient records secure and accessible over time, a health insurance claim refers to the request for payment submitted to an insurance company for services rendered, and an overview of patient medical history summarizes a patient’s health events and treatments but does not encompass the process of sharing that information.