Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

In the context of protected health information (PHI), "disclosure" refers specifically to the release or sharing of PHI with outside parties who are not part of the patient's healthcare team. This action can occur in various situations, such as when healthcare providers need to share patient information with insurers, other healthcare providers for continuation of care, or when required by law.

Understanding disclosure is vital because it involves compliance with regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which outlines strict guidelines for how and when PHI can be disclosed. Proper knowledge of this term ensures that healthcare compliance professionals can effectively navigate the legal requirements surrounding patient information and maintain patient confidentiality.

The other options focus on different aspects of handling PHI. Requests for patient information by healthcare personnel, documenting interactions, and securely storing patient information are all essential practices in managing PHI but do not capture the definition of disclosure, which is primarily concerned with the act of sharing or releasing information rather than internal processes or communication.