The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a Federal law that sets rules about who can look at and receive your health information. This law gives you rights over your health information and when it can be shared. It also requires your doctors, pharmacists and other health care providers, and your health plan to explain your rights and how your health information can be used or shared.
When you see a doctor, check in to a hospital, start getting prescriptions filled by a pharmacy, or change health insurance coverage, you will likely get several forms to read and sign. One of those forms – called the Notice of Privacy Practices – explains your rights regarding your health information and tells you how your health information can be used or shared. Most doctors must give you the Notice at your first appointment, and most health plans must give you the Notice when you enroll. A copy of the Notice may also be posted in a clear, easy to find location in a doctor’s office, pharmacy or hospital, be mailed to you by your health insurance company, or be posted on a doctor’s or health insurance company’s website.
To download a copy of our HIPAA Privacy Practices, click here.