Under what condition is it permissible to share PHI with a third party?

Sharing protected health information (PHI) with a third party is permissible primarily when the patient provides consent. This is a fundamental principle of patient privacy and confidentiality, governed by regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). When a patient consents to share their information, they are empowered to control who can access their personal health details, which also helps ensure that their rights are respected while allowing the necessary exchange of information for health-related purposes.

In scenarios where the patient's consent is not granted, sharing PHI can lead to potential violations of privacy regulations. Other options do not align with the stringent requirements established by laws that protect patient privacy, as sharing PHI for reasons like convenience, marketing, or without any restrictions does not respect the necessary consent process and could pose risks to patient confidentiality and trust.