By
Greg Garner
There are various records and information that some individuals
wish to keep confidential. Medical records are just some of this data.
Thus it is not surprising to learn that someone wants his or her medical
information be kept private specifically if their health condition is
sensitive. Since there has been several complains about the leakage of
medical information not only by ordinary individuals but celebrities as
well, the US Congress approved HIPAA or Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act. The law implemented in 2003 aims to guard the
interest of the patients in maintaining the confidentiality of their
medical information. In addition to that, any health professional
authorized or not, cannot divulge the health information of a certain
patient without asking permission to the direct individual concerned.
The patient should be notified first of how his or her medical information is to be used before the authorized employee of the health care provider can use the records. Here are some more important facts you should know relating to HIPAA.
1. Who are involved in HIPAA Secrecy Law?
Not all institutions are obliged to follow the HIPAA policies. Only individuals and institutions that deal with information regarding health cares. These may include hospitals, insurance companies, pharmacies, nursing homes, doctors, nurses and other employees who have direct access to the said records of the patients.
2. How about the Exempted?
Not all insurance companies are obliged to follow the HIPAA regulations. Life insurance companies, for instance, do not need to coordinate with HIPAA law, as well as institutions like law enforcement agencies.
3. Knowing one's Medical Information
For instances that the patient asks to see or review his or her medical record, it would be very easy. As covered by HIPAA, the patient has the right to such a claim. If there will be any adjustments needed to be done according to the patient, they are to be done without hassles. No one has the right to disclose any information of the medical condition of a patient even the doctor or nurse attending to the patient unless the patient has consented.
4. Helpful Tips
The hospital, doctor or nurse who takes care of the patient's need can share the condition of the patient to people whom the patient has given permission, most probably close friends and members of the family. In some cases where the patient's condition will not allow him or her to know the real condition of his health, family members will be informed without the consent of the patient as long as it is for his own benefit.
Confidential information such as health conditions of the patient must remain private and secure to avoid any leakage. HIPAA has been implemented to shield patients against people who use medical information of some patients for their own gains. Any violation of HIPAA has equivalent penalty that will be applied to the violator. These things must be disclosed to health care providers' staffs, individuals and companies that deal with health care issues.
The patient should be notified first of how his or her medical information is to be used before the authorized employee of the health care provider can use the records. Here are some more important facts you should know relating to HIPAA.
1. Who are involved in HIPAA Secrecy Law?
Not all institutions are obliged to follow the HIPAA policies. Only individuals and institutions that deal with information regarding health cares. These may include hospitals, insurance companies, pharmacies, nursing homes, doctors, nurses and other employees who have direct access to the said records of the patients.
2. How about the Exempted?
Not all insurance companies are obliged to follow the HIPAA regulations. Life insurance companies, for instance, do not need to coordinate with HIPAA law, as well as institutions like law enforcement agencies.
3. Knowing one's Medical Information
For instances that the patient asks to see or review his or her medical record, it would be very easy. As covered by HIPAA, the patient has the right to such a claim. If there will be any adjustments needed to be done according to the patient, they are to be done without hassles. No one has the right to disclose any information of the medical condition of a patient even the doctor or nurse attending to the patient unless the patient has consented.
4. Helpful Tips
The hospital, doctor or nurse who takes care of the patient's need can share the condition of the patient to people whom the patient has given permission, most probably close friends and members of the family. In some cases where the patient's condition will not allow him or her to know the real condition of his health, family members will be informed without the consent of the patient as long as it is for his own benefit.
Confidential information such as health conditions of the patient must remain private and secure to avoid any leakage. HIPAA has been implemented to shield patients against people who use medical information of some patients for their own gains. Any violation of HIPAA has equivalent penalty that will be applied to the violator. These things must be disclosed to health care providers' staffs, individuals and companies that deal with health care issues.
For more information, please visit our HIPAA Training Course website.
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