Decide whether to give your permission before your information can be used or shared
for certain purposes
In general, your health information cannot be given to your employer,
used or shared for things like sales calls or advertising, or used or shared for many other purposes unless you give your
permission by signing an authorization form. This authorization form must tell you who will get your information and what
your information will be used for.
Get a report on when and why your health information was
shared
Under the law, your health information may be used and shared for particular reasons,
like making sure doctors give good care, making sure nursing homes are clean and safe, reporting when the flu is in your area,
or making required reports to the police, such as reporting gunshot wounds. In many cases, you can ask for and get a list
of who your health information has been shared with for these reasons.
You can ask to see and get a
copy of your medical record and other health information. You may not be able to get all of your information in a few special
cases. For example, if your doctor decides something in your file might endanger you or someone else, the doctor may not have
to give this information to you.
You can get this report for free once a year.
In most cases you should get the report within 60 days, but it can take an extra 30 days if you are given
a reason.
Ask to be reached somewhere other than home
You
can make reasonable requests to be contacted at different places or in a different way. For example, you can have the nurse
call you at your office instead of your home, or send mail to you in an envelope instead of on a postcard. If sending information
to you at home might put you in danger, your health insurer must talk, call, or write to you where you ask and in the way
you ask, if the request is reasonable.
Ask that your information not be shared
You can ask your provider or health insurer not to share your health information with certain people, groups,
or companies. For example, if you go to a clinic, you could ask the doctor not to share your medical record with other doctors
or nurses in the clinic. However, they do not have to agree to do what you ask.
File complaints
If you believe your information was used or shared in a way that is not allowed under the privacy
law, or if you were not able to exercise your rights, you can file a complaint with your provider or health insurer. The privacy
notice you receive from them will tell you who to talk to and how to file a complaint. You can also file a complaint with
U.S. Government.
Other privacy rights
You may have other
health information rights under your state’s laws. When these laws affect how your health information can be used or
shared, that should be made clear in the notice you receive.
Privacy is important to all of
us
You have privacy rights under a federal law that protects your health information. These
rights are important for you to know. You can exercise these rights, ask questions about them, and file a complaint if you
think your rights are being denied or your health information isn’t being protected.
Who must follow
this law?
Most doctors, nurses,pharmacies, hospitals,clinics, nursing homes,and
many other healthcare providers.
Health insurance companies, HMOs, most employer group
health plans
Certain government programs that pay for health care, such as Medicare and
Medicaid
For more information
This is a brief
summary of your rights and protections under the federal health information privacy law. You can ask your provider or health
insurer questions about how your health information is used or shared and about your rights. You also can learn more, including
how to file a complaint with the U.S. Government, at the website at Department of Health & Human Services.
HIPPA PRIVACY POLICY
