What must a covered entity provide when a patient requests to view their medical records?

When a patient requests to view their medical records, a covered entity is required to provide a complete copy of those records. This requirement is part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which grants patients the right to access their protected health information (PHI). The goal of this provision is to ensure transparency and empower patients to be informed about their health data.

Providing a complete copy allows patients to review all of their medical information, which can be crucial for understanding their health status, making informed decisions about their care, and ensuring the accuracy of the information held by healthcare providers. This access goes beyond just summaries or specific assessment reports, as it encompasses the full scope of their medical history and treatments.

In contrast, the other options presented do not fulfill the legal requirements outlined in HIPAA for patient access to their medical records. Summaries or individual health assessments do not provide the comprehensive view that patients are entitled to, and explanations of treatment decisions, while potentially important for understanding care, do not replace the right to access one's complete medical records.