Which laws govern privacy of patient records?

• A. HIPAA and state privacy laws require confidentiality, proper handling, and access controls.
• B. Only state privacy laws apply to chiropractors.
• C. Only federal privacy laws apply to chiropractors.
• D. There are no privacy laws specific to chiropractors.

Answer: (A)

Privacy of patient records is governed by both HIPAA at the federal level and state privacy laws. HIPAA creates a nationwide framework that protects protected health information by requiring confidentiality, safeguards for handling electronic records, and access controls so only authorized individuals can view or disclose PHI. Chiropractors must put these protections in place for all patient data they manage, including secure storage, controlled access, and secure transmission of information. State privacy laws can add stricter rules or specific procedures around confidentiality, record retention, and the release of records, so compliance with both federal and state requirements is necessary. Patients generally have rights to access their records, request amendments, and be informed about how their information is used, with disclosures typically limited to treatment, payment, operations, or disclosures made with patient authorization. So, the correct approach is to follow HIPAA as the federal baseline and adhere to applicable state privacy laws for any additional protections. The other options misstate the scope by suggesting only state or only federal laws apply, or that no privacy laws exist.