The HIPAA privacy rules gives individuals the righ to request a restriction on uses and disclosures of their protected health information (PHI). The individual is also provided the right to request confidential communications or that a communication of PHI be made by alternative means, such as sending coorespondence to the individual's office rather than home. The Privacy Rule generally requires healthcare providers to take resonable steps to limit the use or disclosure of, and requests for PHI to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose. These provisions do not apply to uses or disclosures made persuant to an authorization requested by the individual. Uses and disclosures for PHI may be permitted withour prior consent in an emergency.