Which of the following allows medical records to be obtained without consent?

The option that allows medical records to be obtained without consent is indeed a HIPAA exception. Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), certain circumstances permit the release of medical records without the patient's consent. These exceptions include situations involving law enforcement purposes, public health activities, or if the release is mandated by state or federal law.

When understanding HIPAA exceptions, it's crucial to recognize the purpose of the guidelines, which are designed to protect patient privacy while also allowing for the necessary sharing of information when public safety or legal obligations are at stake. Thus, under specific conditions outlined by HIPAA, records can be accessed without explicit consent from the patient, reflecting a balance between individual rights and societal needs.

By comparison, a legal subpoena may also compel the release of medical records, but it typically requires a legal process that may not always apply in every situation, whereas HIPAA exceptions are broader and cover various circumstances where consent is not a prerequisite. Other choices like patient waivers and informed consent clearly imply a voluntary agreement from the patient before any records can be shared, making them unsuitable in the context of obtaining records without consent.