Under which scenario are you NOT allowed to release prescription records?

• A. A patient requesting their records in person
• B. A parent requesting records for their adult child
• C. A patient requesting their records over the phone
• D. A parent requesting records for their minor child

Answer: (B)

Privacy rules protect who can see a patient’s health information. An adult patient owns their records, so a parent cannot access those records without the adult’s explicit written authorization or another valid legal arrangement (like a power of attorney). That’s why this scenario is not allowed unless the adult signs consent or a proper legal document is in place.

In contrast, a patient requesting their own records in person is permitted, and a patient requesting records by phone can be allowed if the person’s identity is verified and proper authorization is available. For a minor child, a parent or guardian typically has the right to access records, so that scenario is allowed.