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| Each time you visit a doctor, hospital,
or another healthcare provider, a record of your visit is made. This
information is then compiled into what is known as your medical record
or health record. Your health record is made up of many reports, and
it may be kept in one or more of the following formats: paper, microfilm,
or electronic. The specific content of your health record depends
on the type of healthcare you have received. Your health record serves
as a: |
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Basis for planning your care and treatment |
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Means by which doctors, nurses, and others caring for
you can talk to one another about your needs. |
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Legal document describing the care you received |
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Means by which you or your insurance company can verify
that services billed were actually provided |
| Although your doctor or the facility that
compiled it owns your health record, the information within the record
belongs to you. Understanding what is in your record helps you: |
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Make sure it’s correct and complete |
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Know what is being released when you authorize disclosure
of information to others |
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Provide an accurate health history to new healthcare
providers who treat you |
| In April 2003 a federal law took effect
to provide you with privacy protections for your health information.
The federal rule, which covers medical information in any format-written,
spoken, or electronic-came out of the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPPA). |
| Under the federal regulation, you now have the following
rights and protections to your health information: |
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Receive a notice describing how your healthcare
provider uses and discloses your health information. |
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Request restrictions on the uses and disclosures of
your health information. |
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View and obtain copies of your health information |
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Request changes to your health information |
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Find out who has seen your health record other than
healthcare professionals, health plans, and, in certain cases, law
enforcement and government officials. |
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File a complaint if you believe your healthcare provider
violated your privacy rights |
| Your state may also have laws in place
to protect your privacy and access to health records. Your healthcare
organization must comply with these requirements if they are more
restrictive than those outlined under the federal standards. |
| For more information on understanding and managing
your personal health information, visit myPHR |
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