HIPAA & Patient Privacy

A comprehensive law governing how hospitals and health systems protect the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and patient information, known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), is in effect. This law explains your rights over your health information, including the right to get a copy of your information, make sure it is correct and know who has seen it.

Get It. You can ask to see or get a copy of your medical records and other health information. If you want a copy, you may have to put your request in writing and pay for the cost of copying and mailing.

Check It. You can ask to change any wrong information or add information to your file if you think something is missing or incorrect. Even if the hospital believes the test result is correct, you still have the right to have your disagreement noted in your file.

Know who has seen it. By law, your health information can be used and shared for specific reasons not directly related to your care, like making sure doctors give good care or reporting as required by state or federal law. In many of these cases, you can find out who has seen your health information. You can:

• Learn how your health information is used and shared by your doctor or health insurer. Generally, your health information cannot be used for purposes not directly related to your care without your permission. For example, your doctor cannot give it to your employer, or share it for things like marketing and advertising, without your written authorization. You should have received a notice telling you how your health information may be used on your first visit to Hoops Family Children's Hospital, but you can ask for another copy any time.
• Let your providers or health insurance companies know if there is information you do not want to share. You can ask that your health information not be shared with certain people, groups or companies. For example, if you go to a clinic, you can ask the doctor not to share your medical records with other doctors or nurses at the clinic. You can ask for other kinds of restrictions, but they do not always have to agree to do what you ask, particularly if it could affect your care.
• 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 ask to have a nurse call you at your office instead of your home or to send mail to you in an envelope instead of on a postcard.

If you think your rights are being denied or your health information is not being protected, you have the right to file a complaint with Hoops Family Children's Hospital, your health insurer, or the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Learn more about HIPAA here.