What is the primary purpose of a release of information form?

The primary purpose of a release of information form is to obtain patient consent for sharing their health information with third parties. This consent is crucial in the healthcare industry, as it allows providers to share necessary and relevant medical information with other entities (such as specialists, insurance companies, or researchers) while ensuring that the patient’s privacy rights are respected. The release of information is a key element in compliance with laws and regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which emphasizes the patient's right to control access to their personal health information.

Options that focus on other aspects, such as documenting medication history, registering treatment plans, or collecting feedback, do not capture the specific consent-driven nature of the release of information form, which is fundamentally about authorization and the legal transfer of information. The other choices address important components of patient care but do not pertain to the authorization aspect central to the release of information.