It's all About Your Relationship with your Doctor

Why do we have doctor-patient confidentiality to begin with?  Our law recognizes that there must be trust in the relationship between a doctor and a patient, in order for good health care to take place.  If we don't trust our doctors enough to give them accurate information, they won't be able to treat us appropriately.  The HIPAA Privacy Rule doesn't replace the rules of doctor-patient confidentiality that have existed in our law for centuries; it just makes them more uniform.  It also provides guidelines that both health care providers and patients can count on as to when information can be disclosed.  What's important is to read your provider's HIPAA forms.  If you don't understand them, ask questions.  And first and foremost, ask your doctor questions.  If you are concerned about what's in your chart, or who gets to see it, ask! Keep open communication and keep informed, and you may head off potential problems later.

*** This sharepost is legal education, not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. ***

© Megan Oltman, 2009.

Last updated May 28, 2009.