Can a pharmacy transmit a patient's prescription claim information electronically to a third-party payor without the patient's consent?

In the context of pharmacy and healthcare transactions, the transmission of a patient's prescription claim information to a third-party payor typically involves sensitive personal health information. Under regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patient consent is an important requirement to protect patient privacy and confidentiality.

The correct answer highlights the necessity of obtaining consent from the patient before transmitting any personal health information. This requirement ensures that patients have control over their medical information and understand who has access to it. Consent safeguards the patient's rights and promotes trust between the patient and healthcare providers.

The other options suggest scenarios where a pharmacy might act without patient consent, but these do not align with the legal and ethical standards set forth by healthcare regulations. For instance, claiming that billing purposes or known entities absolve the need for consent overlooks the fundamental principle of patient autonomy and privacy protection laws. Without explicit patient consent, any transmission can lead to potential violations of privacy rights and regulatory standards.