By: Mevish Jaffer
The technologically savvy world we live in today allows us to do just about everything paperless, including the electronic storage of personal health records. It’s all about convenience in the present day and age; however the adage, “everything comes at a price” still rings true. In the case of electronic health records, the “price” refers to your privacy.
Medical Records Information
The entire concept of electronic medical records is to improve upon the process of efficient health care. In order for them to adequately achieve the maximum amount of effectiveness, the records need to describe each patient in as much detail as possible. As a result, your medical records may contain information such as the following:
- Lifestyle factors including high-risk activities you may engage in
- Habitual smoking
- Information on various medications you may be taking
- Clinical condition
- Risk factors for different diseases
HIPAA
In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA went into effect with the purpose of protecting the privacy of individually identifiable medical records. A sterner rule went into effect in April 2003; a mandatory Privacy Rule which protects individually identifiable health information for all health plans, health care clearinghouses, and providers who use electronic medical records.
The Privacy Rule also mandates that in the event medical information must be shared for allowed purposes, only the minimum amount of necessary information should be disclosed. Keep in mind however that the minimum standard amount does not apply when the requests for disclosures are coming from physicians for patient information in regards to appropriate treatment purposes. The minimum standard is also considered null under the condition that patients want to access their own health records, or wish to allow others access to their information.
Who Has Access to Your Health Records?
You may be wondering exactly who does have the right to access your personal health records. Well for starters, patient information contained in health records can be accessed by insurance companies. However more often than not, they need to have a release of medical information prior to issuing a policy or for that matter, making a payment for a patient. Insurance companies may also disclose certain medical information to other financial organizations. However, federal law requires insurance companies to provide an option to their customers in which they may decline that their personal medical information be shared with other companies. The Medical Information Bureau also allows many insurance companies in the United States to share and access health information. Although the information in the Bureau database is not controlled by HIPPA, individuals listed are able to pull up a free report as well as have any information that is not accurate be corrected.
For individuals who are on any form of government based medical assistance including Medicare, Social Security Disability, Worker’s Compensation etc., their health records cannot be accessed by anyone except government agencies. Aside from insurance companies and government agencies, your health records may also be accessed by present and future employers under certain regulations.
