Which HIPAA requirement was violated when a coach discussed a client's weight loss goal in front of others during a group session?

The violation in this scenario relates to the Minimum Necessary Rule, which is a component of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations. This rule mandates that covered entities, such as health coaches, must take reasonable steps to limit the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) to the minimum necessary to achieve the intended purpose.

When a coach openly discusses a client's weight loss goal in a group setting, they breach this rule by disclosing personal health information without ensuring that only the minimum necessary information is shared. This not only exposes the client’s confidential health detail to others present but also can lead to a breach of the client's privacy, which is a key aspect of HIPAA protection.

While the impermissible uses rule also deals with the unauthorized sharing of PHI, the Minimum Necessary Rule specifically focuses on limiting the amount of information disclosed. The access rule pertains to patients' rights to access their own health information, which isn't applicable in this case. The professional code of conduct may offer ethical guidelines, but the legal implications fall primarily under the HIPAA requirements, making the Minimum Necessary Rule the most relevant in this scenario.