Patient Information

Most of us believe that our medical and other health information is private and should be protected, and we want to know who has this information. The Privacy Rule, a Federal law, gives you rights over your health information and sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. The Privacy Rule applies to all forms of individuals’ protected health information, whether electronic, written, or oral. The Security Rule, a Federal law that protects health information in electronic form, requires entities covered by HIPAA to ensure that electronic protected health information is secure.

 What Information Is Protected

• Information your doctors, nurses, and other health care providers put in your medical record
• Conversations your doctor has about your care or treatment with nurses and others
• Information about you in your health insurer’s computer system
• Billing information about you at your clinic
• Most other health information about you held by those who must follow these laws

 What Rights Does The Privacy Rule Give Me Over My Health Information

Health Insurers and Providers who are covered entities must comply with your right to:

• Ask to see and get a copy of your health records
• Have corrections added to your health information
• Receive a notice that tells you how your health information may be used and shared
• Decide if you want to give your permission before your health information can be used or shared for certain purposes, such as for marketing
• Get a report on when and why your health information was shared for certain purposes
• If you believe your rights are being denied or your health information isn’t being protected, you can
  • File a complaint with your provider or health insurer
  • File a complaint with the U.S. Government

You should get to know these important rights, which help you protect your health information. You can ask your provider or health insurer questions about your rights.

 Who Can Look at and Receive Your Health Information

The Privacy Rule sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. To make sure that your health information is protected in a way that does not interfere with your health care, your information can be used and shared:

• For your treatment and care coordination
• To pay doctors and hospitals for your health care and to help run their businesses
• With your family, relatives, friends, or others you identify who are involved with your health care or your health care bills, unless you object
• To make sure doctors give good care and nursing homes are clean and safe
• To protect the public’s health, such as by reporting when the flu is in your area
• To make required reports to the police, such as reporting gunshot wounds

Your health information cannot be used or shared without your written permission unless this law allows it. For example, without your authorization, your provider generally cannot:

• Give your information to your employer
• Use or share your information for marketing or advertising purposes
• Share private notes about your health care