Law and Ethics

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; otherwise known as HIPAA, has a strict privacy rule in place. HIPAA is a federal law, and it is there to give you the rights over all of your health care information. It is also in place so that you are able to set up certain limits and rules as to who has permission to see and or access any or all of your health records. Although the privacy rule is there to protect people's rights, it also allows the disclosure of health records needed for the patient's care and for any other important reasons. The privacy rule states a list of different security measures for business associates and for different branches of the health care field. Theses security measures are used to maintain and keep electronic protected health information safe. HIPAA affects and determines who is allowed to see and have access to a patient's medical records, but it does not affect a patient's right to access their own medical information. If a person wants to access someones medical records than they would need a legal document and they would also need the patient's verbal or written authorization as well. Under HIPAA every patient has a list of certain rights that they are guaranteed. Those rights include but are not limited to; being able to see and receive a copy of your health records, you will get a notice telling you how your health information may be used and shared, and you also will get a report on when and why your health information was released. You also have the right under HIPAA to request that corrections be made to your health records, and to report any concerns that you may have. Patient's who feel that their rights are either being denied or not protected have the right to file a complaint with their provider, or health insurer. Also, they are able to file a complaint with the U.S government as