JCBELIEVER
Member
Reged: 06/07/02
Posts: 174
Loc: southeast
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These are some of the rules adopted by Dept of Health & Human Services that take effect April 14, 2003.
" Caregivers & health plans cannot disclose medical information to employers that would identify an individual patient. This provision might have prevented an Atlanta truck driver from losing his job in 1998 when employer found out from insurance company that he sought treatment from alcoholism."
"Mental health providers can refuse their notes to health plans if patient refuses to authorize such disclosures. This might have prevented a communications company firm from forcing employee to participate in a depression-treatment program after learning from its drug management that she had been taking anti-depressants in 1998."
"Hospitals must respect patient's request to remove patient's names & health status from hospital's public directory. Patient's can also require hospitals to keep medical information from their family members."
"In most cases, law enforcement officials will have to present a warrant, subpoena, or summons before a caregiver discloses a patient's personal medical information."
"Health care facilities & health plans must collect, share, and store medical records more securely. This could result in pharmacies asking customers to stand away from the counter where patients are counseled."
"Hospitals cannot provide patient information to marketers without patient consent. Mainly pertaining to people marketing patients that require certain meds in order to increase a market's sales."
"Patients have a right to see their medical records. If they disagree with information in a file, patients can ask for changes."
"Patients can specify that messages from doctors be sent in a confidential manner, such as by email or only to certain address. Sign in sheets at doctors offices cannot contain nonessential medical information."
This post is from a local Alabama newspaper and did not come directly from Department of Health & Human Services web site.
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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Those new rules are taking place all over the country. HIPPA is the regulatory agency that is enforcing all medical care facilities to keep patient info even more private. I work in a hospital, and if you are even overheard discussing a patient in an elevator or something, you could get canned. We have to shred all documents with patient info on it and everything. Of course while we do this it seems like the government is getting freeer access to our medical records and prescription usage.
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gdbrmk
Stranger
Reged: 12/11/01
Posts: 23
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hi,can you please explain the last sentence
of your post.
thanks,g
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JCBELIEVER
Member
Reged: 06/07/02
Posts: 174
Loc: southeast
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It has been my experience that people in govermental affairs know the laws very well. Also, for the most part most of them abide by these rules. But their are some who will take advantage of someone if they are ignorant towards some laws that protect them.
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1222
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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HIPAA or not, your privacy rights can disappear if you sign a release for a private or government entity to give them access to your records.
Trampy
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Your mileage may vary ...
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Boobetty
Veteran
Reged: 12/30/01
Posts: 626
Loc: The windy City...Boo:)
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I was told, when I signed the HIPPA paperwork, that my medical records can be looked at by the govenment...I signed anyway to get my medicine...felt trapped... so sad too cause I am a very responsible CP'er and try to stay in bounds but it is hard when you are in pain and only get a small amount from a painmanagment service....boo
Quote:
"Health care facilities & health plans must collect, share, and store medical records more securely. This could result in pharmacies asking customers to stand away from the counter where patients are counseled."
just to add that now the pharmaisist has a bit more power...like they need anymore...
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living with pain is not living at all.  Boo
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