Who can request access to a patient's PHI under HIPAA?

Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), the right to access a patient's Protected Health Information (PHI) is specifically granted to the patient themselves and their authorized representatives. This means that individuals have the legal right to inspect and obtain copies of their health records, ensuring that they can understand and manage their own healthcare information.

Authorized representatives may include family members or legal representatives who have been given the appropriate permissions by the patient. This framework is designed to protect patient privacy while also empowering individuals to control their own health information.

The other options do not align with the regulations set forth by HIPAA. For example, not everyone can request PHI, as there are strict guidelines about who has the authority to do so. Additionally, while healthcare providers and insurance companies may need access to PHI to perform their duties, they do not have unrestricted access—it is only given when necessary and with the patient's consent or under specific circumstances defined by law. This balance between access and privacy is a cornerstone of HIPAA's intent to protect patient information.