Declare Your Independence
Two hundred and 29 years ago today, our forefathers affixed their signatures to a document that protected the “unalienable rights” of this nation’s citizens.
But what would the founding fathers say if they discovered that the government could distribute your medical information to potentially thousands of people without explanation? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which took effect in 2003, has opened the door for law enforcement and other government officials, medical personnel, insurance company employees, researchers, foreign officials, FDA officials, and even employers to know the most personal details of your health history.
Ironically you may have a harder time accessing medical information about yourself or family members than officials would, thanks to these new regulations. While HIPAA makes it easier for officials to gain access to your personal medical information, it may also provide a convenient shield for doctors and healthcare facilities to hide behind when individual requests are made. In fact, this could be the worst of both worlds, where hospitals are selectively closemouthed about patient information, turning away requests from individuals while sharing information with healthcare organizations or government officials.
So on this 4th of July, take a stand for your own independence. Fill out a “Declaration of Medical Privacy Intent” form by accessing the website www.cchconline.org. The form was created by the Citizens’ Council on Health Care, a non-profit group that supports the right of each individual to control their own health care decisions. It doesn’t guarantee that your records won’t be shared without your knowledge, but filling out and giving the form to your doctor, pharmacist, and insurance companies to include in your files is a good way to inform others that you disagree with any infringement on your right to medical privacy.
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What’s in your record?
Q: Your recent column on medical privacy made me wonder what is actually in my own medical records. How do I obtain a copy of my information?
JVW: Having a comprehensive record of your own medical history is a good idea and can be helpful, especially in an emergency or in the event of a hospitalization, or even if you just switch physicians.
I don’t want to discourage you, but if you have moved or changed doctors over the years (and who hasn’t) you may need to invest some time to obtain all your information.
Actually getting the information usually isn’t difficult: In most cases, all you have to do is fill out a request form provided by the receptionist at your doctor’s office and they should be able to send you a copy of your records within a few days. (You may be asked to pay for your copies.)
But in order to get all your records, you will need to go back to every medical facility and practitioner you have ever visited and make the same request. This may be tough for people who have moved around a lot or who have seen a variety of doctors over the years. But it is the only way to be sure that you end up with a comprehensive file of your entire medical history.
The good news is, if you take the time to do it once and are thorough about it, after that it will be much easier to keep up with it.
Once you obtain your records, don’t be shy about asking for clarification if you don’t understand everything that is in them. It is important that you be knowledgeable about your own health and a good way to begin is by having a clear understanding of what is contained within your own files.
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What is….patient confidentiality?
The American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics states that information that is disclosed to a physician within the framework of the doctor-patient relationship or discovered during treatment shall remain completely confidential. The purpose is to allow a free and open exchange of information between patients and healthcare providers.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
