Release of Information (ROI)
The process of disclosing patient records to authorized parties pursuant to a valid authorization or other permitted purpose.
1 min read · Last reviewed May 23, 2026
At a glance
- Category
- Documentation
- Primary sources
- 2
- Workspace handoff
- templates →
Where this comes up
Providers meet this term in the chart and at the post-visit review — encounter notes, problem lists, medication reconciliation, signed orders, and the time/elements that defend the billed code. If documentation does not support the code, the code does not survive an audit.
Full definition
What it is in practice
ROI workflows operationalize the Privacy Rule. Many practices outsource ROI to specialized vendors; the practice retains compliance accountability.
How it shows up in your practice
Audit ROI vendors as business associates. Track turnaround times and patient complaints.
Sources
- 45 CFR 164.502 — Uses and disclosures of PHIhttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-164.502
- HHS — Authorization for Use or Disclosurehttps://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/authorizations/index.html
Use ROI templates from the Templates engine
Open templates →Related terms
- HIPAA & PrivacyAuthorization for DisclosureA written authorization signed by the individual permitting a covered entity to use or disclose PHI for a purpose not otherwise permitted by the Privacy Rule.
- HIPAA & PrivacyHIPAA Privacy RuleThe federal regulation at 45 CFR Part 164 Subpart E that governs the use and disclosure of PHI.
- HIPAA & PrivacyPatient Right of AccessThe HIPAA right of an individual to inspect and obtain a copy of their PHI in a designated record set.
D3rx is a healthcare-billing and compliance research aid maintained by D3rx Inc. Articles are drafted by an LLM (Anthropic Claude) against primary HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and state-regulator publications, and reviewed for restraint and source fidelity by the D3rx team.
Reviewer status: a named credentialed reviewer (CHC, CHPC, or healthcare attorney) is being engaged. Until that engagement is finalized, this page does not claim credentialed review.
Related across the archive
- GlossaryAuthorization for DisclosureA written authorization signed by the individual permitting a covered entity to use or disclose PHI for a purpose not otherwise permitted by the Privacy Rule.
- GlossaryHIPAA Privacy RuleThe federal regulation at 45 CFR Part 164 Subpart E that governs the use and disclosure of PHI.
- GlossaryPatient Right of AccessThe HIPAA right of an individual to inspect and obtain a copy of their PHI in a designated record set.
- GlossaryData Use Agreement (DUA)A written agreement required for disclosing a Limited Data Set, restricting the recipient's use and requiring safeguards.
- GlossaryDe-identificationThe process of removing identifiers from PHI such that the resulting information is not individually identifiable health information.
- GlossaryLimited Data SetPHI that excludes direct identifiers but may include city, state, ZIP, dates, and other quasi-identifiers; may be disclosed for research, public health, or healthcare operations under a Data Use Agreement.
- GlossaryMinimum Necessary RuleThe HIPAA standard requiring covered entities to limit PHI uses, disclosures, and requests to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.
- GlossaryPHI (Protected Health Information)Individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form.
This glossary entry is a research aid for billing and compliance staff. It does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice and does not replace counsel. References cited link to primary sources at HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and the relevant payer or industry body.