I like the idea of medical privacy, but I work in a hospital, and I know that in reality it means nothing but a 5 page document that patients have to sign before receiving care. All we have to do is shred documents with patient info, and lock out files. But in reality, so many people in the hospital have access to the patients charts and info. I don't know if these rules are supposed to prevent identity theft or misuse of medical infomation, but I don't think it will stop docs and pharmacists from being nosy in regards to out prescription histories. Hell, the insurance companies know every time you go to the doc, what for, what you are prescribed. To me, HIPPA is a nice idea in theory, but I think that it is just the Governments way of trying to show that they care about our privacy. It still won't stop the DEA and insurance companies from telling physicians how to practice medicine. I wonder if these rules will affect OP's in any way? Any ideas?