Which scenario describes a HIPAA-covered transaction?

• A. Transmitting an electronic claim to a health plan
• B. Scheduling an appointment by phone
• C. Releasing records to a third party without consent
• D. Providing patient education pamphlet

Answer: (A)

HIPAA-covered transactions are the standardized electronic exchanges of health information between covered entities and health plans. Transmitting an electronic claim to a health plan fits this definition exactly, because it is one of the standard electronic transactions defined by HIPAA (the electronic claims submission). It uses a uniform format (such as the 837 claim) to convey PHI securely and consistently for billing purposes.

Scheduling an appointment by phone isn't an official HIPAA-covered electronic transaction; it’s a routine communications activity and may involve PHI, but it doesn't fall under the standardized electronic data exchange category defined by HIPAA. Releasing records to a third party without consent would violate privacy protections and isn’t a legitimate transaction under the HIPAA transaction rules. Providing a patient education pamphlet involves information delivery rather than an electronic data exchange of PHI in a standardized HIPAA transaction.