What type of data may still be used without authorization under HIPAA?

Under HIPAA, data that does not contain PHI (Protected Health Information) can be used and shared without the need for authorization. This is because HIPAA regulations specifically pertain to the protection of health information that can be used to identify an individual or relate to an individual's health status, healthcare, or payment for healthcare. If the data does not contain any identifiable information, it falls outside the scope of HIPAA and can be utilized freely.

This underscores the importance of understanding what constitutes PHI—any data that can directly or indirectly identify a patient would require strict handling and authorized access. Hence, while other choices include potential scenarios where authorization is crucial, data lacking any identifiable markers poses no risk to patient privacy, allowing for its use without authorization.