Which of the following actions does NOT violate HIPAA regulations?

Sending encrypted patient information via the Internet according to policy is the action that does not violate HIPAA regulations. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, establishes strict guidelines to protect patient privacy and secure their medical information. One of the critical components of HIPAA compliance is ensuring that any electronic communication of protected health information (PHI) is secure.

When patient information is encrypted, it means that the data is encoded in such a way that only authorized parties can access it. This encryption helps prevent unauthorized access during transmission over the Internet, thus safeguarding the patient's sensitive information. Following established policies for transmitting this information ensures that the healthcare provider meets regulatory standards and retains the confidentiality of the patient’s data.

In contrast, the other options involve actions that compromise patient privacy or security. For instance, sharing patient information via unsecured email exposes that information to potential breaches. Discussing patient information in a public area jeopardizes confidentiality, as unauthorized individuals might overhear the conversation. Posting patient photos on social media without consent constitutes a clear violation of privacy rights and can lead to significant legal repercussions.