When can a covered entity disclose health information without patient consent?

The correct answer highlights a key principle of the HIPAA Privacy Rule concerning the disclosure of health information. A covered entity can disclose protected health information (PHI) without patient consent when the information is used for Treatment, Payment, or Healthcare Operations (TPO). This framework allows healthcare providers to communicate and share necessary health information with other providers involved in a patient's care, facilitate billing processes, and perform essential operations such as quality assessments or audits. These activities are seen as fundamental to the provision of care and health service operations, hence they are permitted without the need for explicit consent from the patient.

In contrast, disclosing health information during emergencies, while sometimes justifiable, often requires a more nuanced understanding of the situation and is not as straightforward under HIPAA regulations as TPO disclosures. Disclosures for research purposes typically require patient authorization unless they meet specific criteria, thus not allowing blanket disclosures without consent. Lastly, the option of a verbal agreement does not automatically suffice for a covered entity to disclose PHI; written consent is generally required to ensure there are clear records and compliance with privacy protections.