Which of the following information is NOT permitted to be disclosed without patient consent under HIPAA?

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), certain types of patient information are protected to ensure privacy. Psychotherapy notes are specifically classified as highly sensitive information. These notes, which typically include details about conversations during sessions and the therapist’s observations, are given a higher level of protection compared to other health information. They are not allowed to be shared without explicit patient consent.

On the other hand, treatment information, payment details, and basic demographic information are generally considered essential for the functioning of healthcare services and can be disclosed without patient consent under certain circumstances, such as for the purposes of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. This distinction underscores the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality surrounding psychotherapy notes, reflecting the sensitive nature of mental health treatment and the trust required in the patient-therapist relationship.