Which individuals have the right to access their own PHI?

The correct answer is that any individual whose PHI is held by a covered entity has the right to access their own protected health information (PHI). This access is fundamentally rooted in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which ensures that individuals are granted rights over their health information. According to HIPAA, individuals can request access to their medical records and any other documentation that pertains to their health information maintained by healthcare providers and health plans, which are classified as covered entities.

The ability to access personal health information fosters transparency and empowers individuals to be engaged in their own healthcare decisions. It supports the notion that individuals should have control over who sees their health information, thus promoting trust in healthcare systems.

Other mentioned options do not accurately reflect the rights granted under HIPAA. For instance, healthcare providers themselves do not have exclusive access rights to PHI; rather, they are responsible for safeguarding the information of patients. Government officials typically do not have unrestricted access to personal health information unless it falls under specific legal requirements, such as investigations. Lastly, employees of covered entities may have access to PHI in the course of their duties, but they do not hold rights to access their information in the same way that patients do under HIPAA provisions.