The bottom line
HIPAA, the same act that regulates how our health information is handled to protect our privacy, also gives us the right to see and obtain a copy of our records and to dispute anything we feel is erroneous or has been omitted. If you have difficulty with either of these issues, simply asking the office staff personnel involved to review HIPAA regulations will usually be enough to resolve the situation.
This is, however, one of those areas where it's sometimes best to "choose your battles" wisely. There may be times when demanding a copy of your records or insisting that you disagree with something in your records isn't worth the time or stress involved. Doctors will usually send a copy of your records to a new doctor at no charge, as a professional courtesy. This could be easier and far less stressful. If an error or omission in your records is minor, it might be not be worth pursuing and risking a problem in the relationship with your doctor and his or her staff. These are considerations, but only you can make the final decision.
HIPAA also regulates what medical information may be released to whom and for what purposes. For more information about HIPAA, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights - HIPAA Web site.
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Resources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights - HIPAA Web site
© Teri Robert, 2007.
Last updated December 11, 2007.
