Which document is primarily used to inform patients of their privacy rights under HIPAA?

The HIPAA Privacy Notice is a critical document that informs patients about their rights regarding the privacy and security of their health information. This notice outlines how a healthcare provider or entity may use and disclose an individual's protected health information (PHI), as well as the rights patients have under HIPAA to access, amend, and restrict the use of their health information.

Patients must receive this notice upon the first service encounter, making it a fundamental component of HIPAA compliance. It ensures that patients are fully aware of their rights, such as the right to receive a copy of their health records, the right to request corrections, and the right to file a complaint if they believe their privacy rights have been violated. By providing this information, the Privacy Notice promotes transparency between healthcare providers and patients, fostering trust in the management of sensitive health data.

The other options don't serve this specific purpose. For instance, patient consent is focused on obtaining agreement for specific disclosures but does not comprehensively inform patients about their privacy rights. A Health Information Exchange refers to the electronic sharing of health information, while a Health Record Release Form is specifically for authorizing the transfer of medical records rather than informing patients of their rights under HIPAA. Therefore, the Privacy Notice is the correct answer