Which of the following has access to personally identifiable data without authorization?

The correct answer highlights the role of public health departments that often have different access rights regarding personally identifiable data due to the nature of their work. They are usually granted access to certain identifiable health information without needing explicit patient authorization, especially when it pertains to public health concerns like disease outbreaks or health surveillance. This access is necessary for monitoring and managing health issues that may affect the entire community, thereby serving the public interest.

In contrast, other entities like insurance companies, attorneys, and worker's compensation programs typically require authorization from the patient to access their personally identifiable information. Insurance companies usually need consent to verify eligibility, attorneys need authorization to access medical records relevant to their cases, and worker's compensation processes often involve direct patient consent to ensure that information is shared legally and ethically. Therefore, the public health department's access in scenarios concerning public health is an exception to the general requirement for authorization regarding personally identifiable data.