Privacy

Medical records are created when you receive treatment from a health professional such as a physician, nurse, dentist, chiropractor, or psychiatrist. Records may include your medical history, details about your lifestyle (such as smoking or involvement in high-risk sports), and family medical history. In addition, your medical records contain laboratory test results, medications prescribed, and reports that indicate the results of operations and other medical procedures. Your records could also include the results of genetic testing used to predict your future health. And they might include information about your participation in research projects. Information you provide on applications for disability, life or accidental insurance with private insurers or government programs can also become part of your medical file.

WHO HAS ACCESS TO MY MEDICAL RECORDS?
Your medical information is shared by a wide range of people both in and out of the health care industry. Generally, access to your records is obtained when you agree to let others see them. In reality, you may have no choice but to agree to the sharing of your health information if you want to obtain care and qualify for insurance.

INSURANCE COMPANIES:
Insurance Companies usually require you to release your records before they will issue a policy or make payment under an existing policy.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:
Government Agencies may request your medical records to verify claims made through Medicare, Social Security Disability, and Workers Compensation.

EMPLOYERS:
Employers usually obtain medical information about their employees by asking employees to authorize disclosure of medical records. This can occur in several ways not covered by HIPAA.

• Employers may not ask job applicants about medical information or require a physical examination prior to offering employment. After employment is offered, an employer can only ask for a medical examination if it is required of all employees holding similar jobs.
• If you are turned down for work based on the results of a medical examination, the employer must prove that it is physically impossible for you to do the work required.

SUBPOENAED FOR COURT CASES:
If you are involved in litigation, an administrative hearing, or a worker's compensation hearing and your medical condition is an issue, the relevant parts of your medical record may be copied and introduced in court.

OTHER DISCLOSURES:
Other Disclosures of medical information occur when medical institutions such as hospitals or individual physicians are evaluated for quality of service. This evaluation is required for most hospitals to receive their licenses. Your identity may or may not disclosed when medical practices are evaluated. Evaluations for accreditation are called "health care operations" under HIPAA. Consent to use your information for these purposes is usually not required.

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GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:

To become better informed about this subject please visit the following web sites:

www.hhs.gov/policies/index.html
www.hhs.gov/healthit/ahic.html