Minimum Necessary

Minimum necessary means requesting or sharing the least amount of individually identifiable health information necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the information is requested or shared. For example, if a patient is being treated for a broken leg, the patient's ophthalmology or infertility record is not necessary. If you are not authorized by your job to obtain or share information, then do not request or share information.

Requests made for the entire medical record

For treatment purposes, minimum necessary can mean the entire medical record. If the entire medical record is necessary, the treating physician must be able to justify the reason for the request if asked. If a physician within the OHCA requests an entire record for treatment purposes, release the record. Forward any other requests for an entire medical record to the Health Information Management (HIM) Department.

Oral communications

Minimum necessary applies to oral communications. Limit verbal conversations to only the information necessary to provide others with the information necessary to accomplish a specific task.

Note: Verification of identity applies prior to all disclosures of individually identifiable health information. Minimum necessary requirements apply to PHI for deceased individuals.

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