There is at least 12 circimstances.
1. Required by law; 2. Public Health Activities; 3. Victims of Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence; 4. Health Oversight Activities; 5. Judicial and Administrative Proceedings; 6. Law Enforcement Purposes; 7. Decedents; 8. Cadaveric Organ, Eye, or Tissue Donation; 9. Research; 10. Serious Threat to Health or Safety; 11. Essential Government Functions; 12. Workers Compensation
1. Required by law; 2. Public Health Activities; 3. Victims of Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence; 4. Health Oversight Activities; 5. Judicial and Administrative Proceedings; 6. Law Enforcement Purposes; 7. Decedents; 8. Cadaveric Organ, Eye, or Tissue Donation; 9. Research; 10. Serious Threat to Health or Safety; 11. Essential Government Functions; 12. Workers CompensationReferences : summary of the hipaa privacy rule
got to http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa
be sure to carefully read the PFD file
look in the book for your research project will also help you out if you print off the Hippa privacy rule ( that what is I did) Good Luck and Happy Studying!!!!