Certified Medical Administrative Assistants (CMAA) Practice Exam

What does HIPAA require each medical office to appoint?

1. Records manager

2. Compliance officer

3. Privacy officer

4. Billing specialist

The correct answer is: Privacy officer

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, establishes specific requirements for the protection of patients’ health information. One of these key requirements is that each medical office must appoint a privacy officer. The primary role of the privacy officer is to ensure that the medical office complies with HIPAA regulations, particularly in maintaining the confidentiality and security of patient records. This includes developing and implementing privacy policies, training staff, and serving as a point of contact for patients who have questions about their rights regarding their health information. While other roles, such as a compliance officer, can exist within a medical office to address overall legal adherence and regulations, the appointment of a privacy officer is specifically mandated by HIPAA to focus on the privacy and security of protected health information. This distinction is vital, as it directly relates to the core purpose of HIPAA in safeguarding patient data.