In an authorization to release information, which item must be included?

• A. The patient's middle name
• B. The insurer's policy number
• C. The date of the appointment
• D. The entity to whom the information is to be released

Answer: (D)

When someone signs an authorization to release health information, the must-have detail is the exact entity to receive the records. Naming the recipient provides a clear destination for the PHI and ties the patient’s consent to that specific party, which helps prevent disclosure to someone unintended. Without identifying who will receive the information, the authorization would lack a defined scope and could fail privacy protections.

The other items listed aren’t required to fulfill the authorization directive. A middle name, the insurer’s policy number, or the date of an appointment do not determine where the information goes, so they aren’t the essential element for directing a release.