Who can authorize access to a patient's medical records?

The correct answer emphasizes that the patient or their legal representative holds the authority to grant access to a patient's medical records. This principle is grounded in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is designed to protect patient privacy and ensure that individuals maintain control over their own health information.

Under HIPAA, patients have the right to access their medical records and can decide who is allowed to view them. This includes the ability to authorize specific individuals—such as family members, friends, or legal representatives—to obtain their health information on their behalf. It's crucial for ensuring that sensitive medical information is shared only with those whom the patient fully trusts and has given explicit permission to access their records.

This framework acknowledges that medical records contain private and sensitive information, and it is the patient's right to determine how and with whom that information is shared. Legal representatives can include individuals who have been granted power of attorney or guardianship over the patient's health decisions, further ensuring that patient rights are upheld even when the patient is unable to authorize access personally.