CPB (Certified Professional Biller) Certification Practice Exam

What does a breach of confidentiality refer to?

1. Unwanted Patient Calls

2. Unauthorized Release of Patient Information

3. Coding Errors

4. Lost Medical Records

The correct answer is: Unauthorized Release of Patient Information

The correct answer, which pertains to a breach of confidentiality, is the unauthorized release of patient information. Breach of confidentiality involves disclosing sensitive patient information without the appropriate consent or authority. This is a critical issue in healthcare, as maintaining patient confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle and a legal requirement under regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). When patient information is released without consent, it can lead to a loss of trust between patients and healthcare providers, potential identity theft, and violations of privacy laws which can result in legal consequences for the entity responsible for the breach. The other options, while related to healthcare communication and record-keeping, do not specifically address the concept of confidentiality. Unwanted patient calls may involve issues of communication but do not inherently violate confidentiality. Coding errors pertain to inaccuracies in billing and do not relate to patient privacy. Lost medical records can pose risks but are not characterized as a breach of confidentiality unless they lead to unauthorized access to patient information.