Your Privacy Matters
Privacy and Health Information
You have privacy rights under a federal law that protect your health information. This law sets rules and limits on who can access your health information.
Who must follow this law?
- most doctors, nurses, pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare providers and their vendors
- health insurance companies, HMOs and most employer group health plans
- certain government programs that pay for healthcare, such as Medicare and Medicaid
What information is protected?
- information put in your medical records
- conversations your doctor has with nurses and others regarding your care
- information about you in your health insurer’s computer system
- billing information
- most other health information about you held by those who must follow this law
What rights do you have over your health information?
Providers and health insurers must comply with your right to:
- ask to see and get a copy of your health records
- have corrections added to your health information
- receive a notice that tells you how your health information may be used and shared
- decide if you want to give your permission to share your information
What are the rules and limits on who can see and receive your health information?
To make sure that your health information is protected in a way that doesn’t interfere with your healthcare, your information can be used and shared:
- for your treatment and care coordination
- to pay doctors and hospitals for your healthcare
- with your family, friends or others you identify who are involved with your healthcare, unless you object
- to make sure doctors give good care and nursing homes are clean and safe
- to protect the public’s health, such as by reporting when the flu is in your area
- to make required reports to the police, such as reporting gunshot wounds
Without your written permission, your provider cannot:
- give your health information to your employer
- use or share your health information for marketing or advertising purposes
- share private notes about mental health counseling
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights
Right to Complain
If you believe your rights are being denied, you can file a complaint with your provider, health insurer or the U.S. government at