Which of the following statements is true regarding patient information?

Patients have authority over the disclosure of their information because they possess the rights to control who can access their personal health data. This principle is rooted in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which safeguards patients' privacy by establishing guidelines on how health information can be used and transmitted. Patients can authorize their healthcare providers to release specific information to designated individuals, including family members, but they are not obligated to do so.

This control over personal health information ensures that patients can protect their privacy and confidentiality, making it a foundational aspect of the provider-patient relationship. Other options do not accurately reflect the regulations surrounding patient information: sharing with family is not automatic and requires patient consent, such information is not considered public and is protected from general access, and while insurance companies may receive necessary information for claims processing, it cannot be shared without patient consent and must adhere to strict privacy guidelines.