Patient Rights And The Hipaa Privacy Rule - 1978 Words

Nancy J. Long 823 S. George St, Front York, PA 17403 ID# 22421209 Law and Ethics for Medical Careers HIT 105 Research project number: 40936500 Patient Rights and the HIPAA Privacy Rule According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services many consumers want to engage in a more active role concerning their health care, therefore, it is important to know what rights you have in obtaining and protecting (called the right to access) your personal health information (Department of Secretary Access Memo, 2016). To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a law passed in 1996 known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a new appendage, the Privacy Rule, became effective in April of 2001. This†¦show more content†¦The law states these exceptions include, a provider can withhold medical information if they reasonably determine that the information would be detrimental and likely cause the patient to harm themselves or others and, a patient does not have the right to access a provider’s psychotherapy notes (Your Health Information Privacy Rights, 2016). It is important to t ake the time to inspect and review your medical and billing records for accuracy and be sure to notify the necessary parties of any wrong or incomplete information you find (Your Medical Records, 2008). The Privacy Rule states that your personal health information can be used or shared for specific reasons that are not directly related to your care and some of these reasons include making sure physicians are giving the proper care to you as a patient, reporting influenza in your city or state or any required reporting by state or federal law. Regardless of whether it is being shared by physicians, health insurance providers or healthcare clearinghouses, a patient has the right to learn how their health information is used and if the purpose is not directly related to your care, then no health information can be disclosed without your permission. This means, without your written authorization, your physician cannot give your personal health information to your employer, other fam ily members or share it for