What must be provided to a patient when they visit for the first time regarding their information?

Providing a Notice of Privacy Practice (NOPP) to a patient during their first visit is essential because it informs them about how their medical information will be used and shared. The NOPP outlines the rights of the patient, the obligations of the healthcare provider, and the procedures in place to safeguard the patient's privacy under regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). This communication ensures transparency and builds trust between the patient and the healthcare provider, allowing patients to make informed decisions about their care.

The other options, while they may be important in a healthcare context, do not specifically cover the broad scope of information related to patient privacy and rights under the law. A consent form pertains to specific permissions for treatment or sharing information, the patient agreement might refer to the overall relationship between the provider and patient, and a disclosure statement typically covers distinct instances of information sharing rather than the comprehensive guidelines found in the NOPP. Thus, the NOPP is the key document required at the initial visit to ensure that patients are aware of their privacy rights and the provider's practices concerning their information.