Questions: A patient requests that a copy of his medical record be sent to a consulting physician. Your job as a Medical Assistant is to: give the patient his entire chart and all associated radiology and laboratory reports. suggest to the patient that the provider he has selected is not reputable. ask the consulting physician's office to request the patient's records. ask the patient to complete the authorization paperwork to transfer the medical record.

The answer is: ask the patient to complete the authorization paperwork to transfer the medical record.

Explanation for each option:

1. Give the patient his entire chart and all associated radiology and laboratory reports:

   • This is not the correct procedure. Medical records are sensitive and protected by privacy laws such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Releasing the entire chart without proper authorization could violate these laws.

2. Suggest to the patient that the provider he has selected is not reputable:

   • This is inappropriate and unprofessional. It is not the role of a Medical Assistant to judge the reputation of another healthcare provider. The patient's choice of consulting physician should be respected.

3. Ask the consulting physician's office to request the patient's records:

   • While this might seem like a practical solution, it is not the correct protocol. The patient must provide explicit consent for the release of their medical records. The consulting physician's office cannot request the records without the patient's authorization.

4. Ask the patient to complete the authorization paperwork to transfer the medical record:

   • This is the correct procedure. The patient must complete and sign an authorization form that permits the release of their medical records to the consulting physician. This ensures compliance with privacy laws and protects the patient's confidentiality.

By following the correct procedure, you ensure that the patient's privacy is maintained and that the transfer of medical records is handled legally and ethically.