What is HIPAA?
October 8, 2024
HIPAA is commonly mentioned and brought up when you visit the doctor, but do you know what HIPAA means? Surprisingly it’s not short for Hippopotamus or a stand in for ‘Hip Hip Hooray!’. HIPAA is the acronym for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Which is a lot longer to say, but very important to the rights of you, the patient.
As patients, we trust our doctors, nurses, and medical staff with our personal and sensitive health information. HIPAA is a law that ensures that trust is protected. While you may have heard of HIPAA, it can sometimes feel like a distant or complicated topic, especially when you’re navigating a hospital visit or managing ongoing care. HIPAA gives a patient rights over their medical records and PHI, personal health information. Your rights will be explained in the ‘Notice of Privacy Practices’ usually given to the patient before the appointment at check in to look over and sign.
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA is a U.S. law that was enacted in 1996 to set national standards for the protection of health information. It regulates how your personal health data is collected, used, and shared by healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other entities in the healthcare system.
For patients, HIPAA means that your medical records, conversations with your doctor, test results, and any other personal health information are protected from unauthorized access. This confidentiality extends not only to physical records but also to digital health data, ensuring your private information remains secure, whether it’s in paper files or electronic systems.
Patient Rights
Access
Under HIPAA, you have the right to access your medical records at any time. If you want to review the details of a doctor’s visit, lab results, or any other health-related documents, you can request copies from your healthcare provider. This transparency allows you to stay informed about your own health.
Amendment
If you find inaccuracies in your health records, HIPAA gives you the right to request corrections. This ensures that your records reflect the most accurate and up-to-date information, which is vital for ongoing care.
Authorization
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of HIPAA is your right to privacy. Healthcare providers and organizations cannot share your personal health information without your consent, except in specific cases, such as emergencies or when required by law. This means that your health data is shared only with the necessary parties involved in your care and with your explicit permission. Doctors can release information to other doctors to discuss your case or treatment, as well as report your illnesses to disease control centers if needed.
Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to see the accounting of disclosures form that shows all those that have requested or viewed your records.
Contact Preference
It is your right to provide your preferable way of communication whether that is over the phone, email, or text.
Release of Information
If there are specific individuals or entities that you do not want to have access to your health information, you have the right to request that your healthcare provider limit the sharing of your data. You can specifically list companies or individuals who may not you’re your records. This can give you peace of mind, knowing that your health information is only disclosed to those who are essential to your treatment and care.
Who Practices HIPAA?
HIPAA is followed by Health Plans (health insurance companies and company health plans), Health Care Providers, and Health Care Clearinghouses.
Common Questions About HIPAA
1. Can I authorize someone to access my medical records?
Yes, you can grant permission for someone else—such as a spouse, family member, or caregiver—to access your medical information. You’ll need to fill out a HIPAA release form to grant this permission.
2. Will HIPAA protect my health information if I’m in an emergency?
Yes, HIPAA allows healthcare providers to share your health information without your consent in emergency situations where it’s needed for your care. However, once the emergency is over, the protection of your information resumes.
3. Can I be denied care if I don’t sign a HIPAA release?
No. You cannot be denied care for not signing a release form. However, the release allows the hospital to share your information with others involved in your care or for billing purposes, which may be necessary for efficient treatment and service.
From a patient’s perspective, HIPAA is a vital law that helps protect the privacy of your personal health information. Understanding your rights under HIPAA empowers you to take control of your health data and ensures that your privacy is respected. Whether you’re in a hospital for a routine check-up, surgery, or emergency care, you can rest assured that your health information is being handled with the utmost confidentiality and security.
If you have any questions about HIPAA or how it applies to your care, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider. They’re there to help guide you through your rights and ensure that your privacy is always protected.
Sources:
Office for Civil Rights. (2022, January 19). Your rights under HIPAA. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html