True or False: Patients may provide written authorization to share their medical records.

Patients have the right to control who accesses their medical records under HIPAA regulations, which emphasizes the importance of patient privacy and consent. When patients provide written authorization, they are explicitly granting permission for their healthcare providers to share their medical information with designated individuals or entities. This written authorization is a key component of maintaining patient confidentiality and ensuring that sensitive health information is only communicated as the patient has approved.

The other options highlight misconceptions about the rules surrounding patient consent. For example, the idea that written authorization is only required in emergencies overlooks the fact that consent is needed regardless of the situation to protect patient privacy. Additionally, suggesting that written authorization is not needed dismisses the fundamental rights provided to patients under HIPAA regarding their health information.