Patient Privacy

FOR YOUR PROTECTION THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Your Health Information is Private and protected by Federal Law

  • Most doctors, nurses, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, many other health care providers, health insurance companies, HMOs, most employer group health plans and certain government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid must follow this law.
  • The information protected by this law includes 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, you and your health insurer's computer system, billing information about you at your clinic and most other health information about you.

Providers and Health insurers who are required to follow this law 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 or 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

The Law Sets Rules and Limits on Who Can Look at and Receive Your Information

  • To make sure that your 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 help run their businesses
  • With your family, relatives, friends and others you identify who are involved with your health care, unless you object
  • To make sure doctors give good care and offices are clean and safe
  • To protect the public's health, such as by reposting when the flu is in your area
  • Your health information CANNOT be used or shared without your written permission unles this law allows it.  For example, without your authorization, your provider generally cannot
  • Give your information to your employer
  • Use or share your information fo rmarketing or advertising purposes
  • Share private notes about your mental health counseling sessions

The Law Protects the Privacy of Your Health Information

  • Providers and health insurers who are required to follow this law must keep your information private by teaching the people who work for them how your information may and may not be used and shared
  • Taking appropriate and reasonable steps to keep your health information secure

For more information, you can learn more about your health information privacy and your rights in a fact sheet called "Your Health Information Privacy Rights" from the website www.hhs.gov/ocr/hippa/.