How Private is My Medical Information?
Each of us would like to believe that our medical information is very secure and certain problems are known only to us and our physician (or other caregiver). HIPAA is now setting a national standard, but we have to remember this is only for medical records that are maintained and/or transmitted by electronic means. Therefore, where the records are located and the their purpose may come into play. You may have a false sense of security. Patients do not have to give or be asked to give consent if the medical institution or physician is being reviewed for quality of service. Hospitals have to undergo this review to receive their license.
It is important to think of other places your medical information may be stored that you may not have even given any thought to. How about your financial records, your child's school records, and your employment files. These will not fall into the HIPAA regulations. Think carefully before participating in informal health screenings. This information often ends up in a data bank of a business which wants to see products related to the test.
This Web site has a lot of information to get you thinking about where your medical information is and whether or not HIPAA is going to protect it. You may be giving out information inadvertently that will end up in a data bank that you never even heard of.
The Web site to reach the entire article is: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs8-med.htm
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