What must covered entities do under HIPAA?

Covered entities must ensure training for employees on the privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI) as a crucial aspect of HIPAA compliance. This training is important because employees need to understand how to handle sensitive health information correctly, maintain patient confidentiality, and recognize the importance of security practices to protect PHI from unauthorized access or breaches. Training helps mitigate risks and reinforces the organization's commitment to protecting patient rights.

Effective training programs educate employees on policies and procedures relating to PHI, including appropriate disclosures, consent requirements, and the consequences of non-compliance. This proactive approach to employee education fosters a culture of privacy and security within healthcare organizations, ultimately safeguarding patient trust and complying with HIPAA regulations.

In contrast, other options do not align with the goals and requirements of HIPAA. For instance, completely eliminating health information would violate patients’ rights to access their records and undermine necessary healthcare provision. Allowing any third party access to PHI directly contradicts HIPAA's goal of protecting patient privacy, and limiting patient interactions is not a requirement under HIPAA and could negatively impact care delivery.