Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

To obtain confidential patient information, which caller does NOT need a patient's written consent?

1. Insurance company representative

2. Referring Physician

3. Family member

4. Legal guardian

The correct answer is: Referring Physician

The referring physician does not need a patient's written consent to obtain confidential patient information because they are typically involved in the patient's ongoing care and treatment. The communication between healthcare providers is often essential for coordinating care and ensuring all medical professionals have the necessary information to provide appropriate treatment. This collaboration is allowed under guidelines such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which permits sharing information among healthcare providers for treatment purposes without needing explicit consent in many cases. In contrast, insurance company representatives generally require consent to access patient information related to billing and claims processing. Family members usually need written consent from the patient unless they are designated under certain legal or emergency circumstances. Legal guardians often need documentation to demonstrate their authority to receive patient information that protects the patient's privacy rights.