Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Regarding limited data sets, which of the following statements is true?

1. A limited data set includes all patient identifiers.

2. A limited data set can be used for any purpose without restrictions.

3. A limited data set requires a Data Use Agreement for disclosure.

4. Limited data sets are equivalent to de-identified health information.

The correct answer is: A limited data set requires a Data Use Agreement for disclosure.

A limited data set is a specific category of health information that includes certain identifiable information but excludes direct identifiers such as names, social security numbers, and other personal identifiers. The key characteristic of a limited data set is that, while it contains some identifiers, it is not fully identifiable, meaning there is an element of privacy still maintained. To disclose a limited data set, a Data Use Agreement (DUA) is required. This agreement outlines the permitted uses and disclosures of the data, ensuring that the information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Rule under HIPAA. This is important to protect patient privacy while allowing for data sharing for purposes such as research and public health activities. In contrast, the other options do not adequately reflect the nature of limited data sets. For example, the statement regarding all patient identifiers being included contradicts the definition of a limited data set, which specifically excludes certain identifiers. Similarly, suggesting that a limited data set can be used for any purpose without restrictions ignores the necessity of a DUA for lawful use. Lastly, stating that limited data sets are equivalent to de-identified health information overlooks the critical differences, as limited data sets still contain certain identifiable information and thus are not as stripped of identifiers as de-identified information.