What type of activities may allow a covered entity to disclose PHI without patient consent?

Disclosing Protected Health Information (PHI) without patient consent is permitted under certain circumstances, specifically when it is required by law or for public health activities. This is aligned with the standards set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which allows covered entities to share PHI to comply with legal requirements, such as responding to a court order, complying with investigations or reviews by oversight agencies, and reporting certain communicable diseases to public health authorities.

Public health activities, including the collection and use of health information to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability, also fall under this category. Thus, the correct approach recognizes that these activities serve broader societal interests and, therefore, can justifiably occur without needing explicit patient consent. Other options, such as marketing campaigns or routine check-ups, typically require consent, while insurance verification processes may involve PHI but usually fall under different regulatory guidelines.