Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CHPS Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct statement regarding fees charged for accounting-of-disclosures requests is that the covered entity (CE) may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for subsequent requests. This provision is in accordance with the regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which allows covered entities to charge for the cost of producing and transmitting the requested information.

The basis for charging a reasonable fee is intended to cover the administrative costs incurred in providing the accounting-of-disclosures reports beyond the first request. This approach recognizes that while patients have the right to access information about disclosures of their health information, the entities also incur expenses in fulfilling these requests.

Therefore, if a patient exceeds a certain number of requests, charging a fee ensures a balance between patient rights and the financial viability of the healthcare entity. This fee should not be punitive and must be related directly to the actual costs involved in preparing the reports.

This reasoning aligns with the regulatory framework that encourages transparency and access while also considering the operational realities faced by healthcare organizations when handling repeated requests from patients.