HIPPA | HIPAA

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 HIPAA law?

• Most doctors, nurses, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and many other health care providers
• Health insurance companies, HMOs, most employer group health plans
• Certain government programs that pay for health care, such as Medicare and Medicaid

The Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA, Title II) required the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish national standards for electronic health care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health plans, and employers.

It also addressed the security and privacy of health data. As the industry adopts these standards for the efficiency and effectiveness of the nation's health care system will improve the use of electronic data interchange. 

Ask to see and get a copy of your health records.

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.

• In most cases, your copies must be given to you within 30 days, but this can be extended for another 30 days if you are given a reason.
• You may have to pay for the cost of copying and mailing if you request copies and mailing.