H.I.P.A.A. Derry Brownfield May 29, 2003 NewsWithViews.com Whether you know it or not you now have a medical identification number. I just received a copy of an in-house memo from an employer concerning HIPAA Compliance. It states, "Attached is a privacy notice that (name of company) is required to provide to you based upon a new health privacy law entitled the (print following in bold) Health Insurance Portabality and Accountability Act or HIPAA for short. If you have acquired medical services or filled a prescription in the past two days, you have probably been given a similar notice by the provider. You do not need to take any action regarding this notice, we are simply required by law to provide it to you."
You are being told that this new ID number is to protect your privacy but in reality your medical privacy is now beyond your control. These new rules actually destroy your ability to restrict access to your medical records. Doctors, dentists, pharmacists and hospital personnel as well as insurance companies, are now required to share your medical records with the FDA, law enforcement agencies, the US Department of Health and Human Services and even foreign governments, without asking your permission. Such medical information cannot be withheld and doctors and insurance companies do not have to inform you as to who gets your records. The law states, "This is for national security reasons." You will be informed at the doctor's office, the pharmacy, the hospital or other care providers about your new number. You will be asked to read the new federal regulation and sign a document stating that you did read the regulations, understand it and agree to the new procedures. If you don't sign the document your doctor may refuse to treat you and your insurance company is allowed to refuse coverage. Anytime you feel that your doctor/patient confidentiality has been violated or you've lost your privacy rights you may complain directly to the Department of Health and Human Services. Regardless of your complaint you are not allowed to bring a lawsuit against a doctor or an insurance company for a breach of privacy. The standards for privacy of individually identifiable health information rule officially went into effect on April 14, 2001. The enforcement of that rule went into effect April 14, 2003. To say that these new rules and regulation are to protect your medical privacy is bureaucratic double-speak at its worst. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
