Under what circumstances can a provider deny a patient access to their health records?

Access to a patient's health records can be denied under specific circumstances, notably when the provider believes that granting access may cause harm to the patient. This is recognized under HIPAA regulations, which allow providers to withhold access if they have a reasonable basis to believe that revealing certain information would have an adverse effect on the individual’s mental or emotional well-being.

This provision is in place to protect patients who may be vulnerable or who might experience distress from viewing information about their health that they may not be fully prepared to process. For example, if the records contain sensitive information regarding a diagnosis that could lead to anxiety or emotional distress, the provider has the prerogative to restrict access until it can be shared in a more supportive environment.

The other options are not valid reasons for denying access to health records: a request made verbally should still be accommodated in line with HIPAA's requirements; denial for any reason the provider sees fit does not align with legal obligations or patient rights; and a patient's insurance status has no bearing on their rights to access their health records.