The HIPAA Rule

. HIPAA privacy rules are complicated and extensive, and set forth guidelines to be followed by health care providers and other covered entities such as insurance carriers and by consumers. HIPAA is very specific in its requirements regarding the release of information, but is not as specific when it comes to the manner in which training and policies are developed and delivered within the health care industry. This paper will discuss how HIPAA affects a patient's access to their medical records, how and under what circumstances personal health information can be released to other entities for purposes

As well as having informed consent about a certain procedure or whether or not they want to provide their medical information for research. The other part of this provision is to make sure your patient is being provided with safe practice. In the past I have questioned care that was given to my patient that did not follow our hospitals policy. In this instance it was how fast I was ordered to infuse blood on a patient with a history of CHF. In this case the doctor was unaware of the change of patient status or policy and applauded me for speaking up. This is not always the case. In other instances you may need to report patient care providers to the appropriate personal to advocate for your patient and as of yet I have not experienced this first hand but know of occurrences elsewhere. It could be as small as a medication that is ordered in the wrong dose or route. We are the voice of the patient and are here to help promote their safety. This provision is in place to protect the patient and public from possible harm.

Knowing ones rights can help one in future instances in healthcare situations to make sure your rights are being honored. Our rights as patients include the right to know our rights, privacy, questioning, examination/treatment, emergency care, admission, special needs being addressed, know/trust caregivers, access patient advocate, chaplaincy services, ethics consultation, choose treatment, informed consent, refuse treatment, receive quality care, compassionate care, pain management, confidentiality, know hospitals adverse events, discharge, transfer, access medical records, access lab reports, know third party care relationships, and know hospital charges. If a patient learns and understands each right it can cause a better understanding in our healthcare system and challenge our healthcare systems to meet our rights. One example could be a patient providing full/honest disclosure of medical history opposed to sharing inaccurate information with their physicians it allows for a physician to do the proper job of a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Another example could be asking questions even to just clarify something that one does not understand. This creates a more informed patient making an informed decision not forcing the physician to become liable for not allowing the patient to understand their options. Knowing our rights can create the better understanding we need in the medical field and allow for more accurate

The main goal of HIPAA is to protect unauthorized access and misuse of confidential health information. It allows for the safe storage of any health facts used, collected, transmitted or maintained by any health organization. It states that all health information about a particular client is completely confidential, regardless of what the format is and whether it is transmitted, maintained or collected. Protected information is that health information that already identifies the patient or could be used in order to identify the patient; it also relates to any of the patient’s past, present or future health conditions, any treatment the patient receives and any payment the patient makes toward their care.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a set of national standards created for the protection of health information; it is also known as a “Privacy Rule”. This rule was employed in 1996 by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to address the use and disclosure of an individual’s health information as well as the standards for the individual’s privacy rights to understand and control the manner in which their information is used.

Patient’s fifth right is for respect and care without discrimination from all members in the healthcare field. The right to confidentiality and privacy of their health information is sixth on the bill of rights and addresses their right to read, copy and request corrections to their medical record, to talk privately their medical providers and be assured their healthcare information is secure. The seventh right is for patients to have a “fair, fast, and objective review of any health care complaints” (Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, 1998). And finally our eighth right as patients are our responsibilities we have as the consumer of healthcare services. Patients need to comply with the orders of the medical provider so they can get and stay well. As a patient you must treat other patients and healthcare workers with respect, pay your medical bills in a timely manner, and abide by your selected healthcare plans coverage. As patients become more involved in the total healthcare process they increase the success of their treatment while assisting in lowering associated costs without a reduction in the quality of the healthcare they receive.

HIPAA, what is it? It is privacy, control, and peace of mind. You have the right for your medical information to be kept confidential. You have the right to decide whether or not family members are privy to your medical information. If you are changing jobs, why worry about health insurance coverage. Picture this. A woman called a local hospital and inquired about the condition of a patient. She was informed by the nurse that the patient was on a ventilator and could not talk. Even though interaction seems perfectly harmless, it was actually a clear violation of the privacy of the patient. A prescription for a local analgesic was presented to the pharmacist for a patient with a name similar to a patient already on file. The prescription was filled for the current patient who was actually the father, and not the patient. The pharmacist assumed that the patient was the father and shared with the patient that there was another medication that he had filled for you and asked, “Would you also like to pick up that medication also”? The father was not present and therefore could not object to the sharing of this information with the son. In the past, if you had a preexisting disease such as chronic fatigue or pregnancy, you could be denied health care coverage. Because Congress stepped in to assist and fix the healthcare system, denial of insurance because of a preexisting disease is not accepted. In view of this significant law, this paper will

What are HIPAA rights? Knowing your rights can be useful. It’s important to know them so that if you ever feel like something isn’t correct, you know how you can act on it. One of your rights as a healthcare consumer is that you can ask to request or see a copy of your medical records or any other health information at any time (hhs.gov/cosumer rights). You are also allowed to change or correct any information in your files that you believe are wrong. This means that if there is something in your file, like a test result that you disagree on, even if the hospital doesn’t, they have to make note of that in your file. You can also see who has accessed and seen your health information. It is your right to ask for your information to not to be shared with certain doctors, nurses, or certain individuals or organizations (hhs.gov/cosumer rights). HIPAA also allows you to allow someone to speak on your behalf. If

Thesis: Three things that every patient should new about HIPAA; what is HIPAA, Privacy regulations, and sanctions of violations

What the HIPAA law states. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a law that was enacted in 1996 establishing safeguards and rules to protect patients demographics and medical records. These rules limit the circumstances of how health records are used or obtained without the patient's authorization. HIPAA has set national standards that require these safeguards to maintain the attainability of health records and keeping them classified. This rule applies to any institutional and noninstitutional providers and only a written authorization by the patient will allow any use of their health records be disclosed.

I would tell patients who inquire about passed patients would be that "I will find out where they are or what has happen to them" and will get with back with them. It is important for me not to release too much information because of HIPAA rules. Releasing personal or medial information without a written consent can get me in big trouble. If I know its a close friend I will ask the family if its ok for me to tell the patient who ask about their relative's condition or whereabouts. Its always better to ask for permission to release information that way your not breaking any privacy rules.

HIPAA also educated patients on what rights they have, such as the ability to review their own medical records. By becoming educated on what records their physicians have, what their health insurance covers, and much more, patients can make better educated decisions when it comes to their health. “Consumers will get a notice explaining how their health plans, doctors, pharmacies and other healthcare providers use, disclose and protect their personal information. Consumers may file complaints about privacy issues with their health plans or providers or with our Office for Civil Rights” (HIPAA: Impact).

Individuals should be able to see and get copies of their medical records and make corrections if they find mistakes.

HIPAA was put in place to help set standards on protecting a patients personal health information, therefore HIPAA does affect a patient’s access to medical records. A patient can review or obtain a copy of their records by submitting, to the physician (covered entity), a request for such in writing or a medical release form. In which case the covered entity can release a “designated record set” of certain personal

Patient’s Bill of Rights essentially guarantees treatment to the recipient, as well as all full disclosure, and consent to care. This illustrates that the power and level of care is in the individuals hands. Furthermore, a new Bill of Right was enacted with the Affordable Care Act in 2010 much of what was outlined gave new patients protection against insurance company’s (“Rights” 1). This is important because it only strengthens the