What is one condition under which access to PHI might be denied with the opportunity to appeal?

Access to Protected Health Information (PHI) might be denied under certain conditions, and one of those is when access to records could endanger the life or safety of an individual or others. In this context, if a healthcare professional assesses that releasing certain information may lead to harm—such as compromising a person's safety—then access can be justifiably denied.

This provision reflects a crucial balance within HIPAA: while individuals have the right to access their health information, this right is not absolute when safety concerns arise. The opportunity to appeal provides a mechanism for patients to challenge the denial, ensuring that their rights are protected while still considering public safety.

The other options do not align with this principle. For example, billing errors typically would not warrant a denial of access to PHI, as these are usually administrative issues rather than concerns of safety. Similarly, standard doctor visit notes and PHI shared with family members do not meet the criteria for potential harm that would justify restricting access.