Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) Practice Exam

What is the main responsibility of Health Information Management (HIM)?

1. To maintain all patient medical records.

2. To make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.

3. To denote the medical procedures performed by a healthcare provider.

4. To substantiate health insurance claims filed by the patient and providers.

The correct answer is: To maintain all patient medical records.

The primary responsibility of Health Information Management (HIM) encompasses the comprehensive management of patient medical records, which includes not only the collection and maintenance of these records but also ensuring their accuracy, privacy, and accessibility. HIM professionals play a vital role in ensuring that the documentation related to patient care is appropriately managed, organized, and protected. This foundational responsibility ensures that health information is credible and can be utilized for various purposes, such as patient care, quality assurance, and legal documentation. While making information available securely to authorized users and substantiating claims are important functions within the broader scope of healthcare management, they are not the main focus of HIM. Likewise, denoting medical procedures is a specific task related to coding and billing rather than the overarching responsibility of HIM, which focuses on the holistic management of health information. The core of HIM lies mainly in the maintenance and management of all patient medical records, reflecting its central role in the healthcare system.