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HEALTHCARE/PRIVACY
How Solid Are HIPAA Laws When It Comes to Your Medical Records?
You may be surprised at how many people can see your history.
“Her chart says Jane Doe was on the psychiatric ward. Maybe that’s why she’s so flaky all the time. She might be on meds, you know?”
If someone confided this to you, what would you think?
Juicy gossip?
Who else can you tell?
None of your business?
Ignore it?
That person read or was told Personal Health Information (PHI) about Jane Doe. Then they started to spread it around.
They might work in a doctor’s office or hospital and have access to hundreds of patients’ medical records.
Including yours.
The subject of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is lengthy, complicated, and involves laws that most of us are unaware of.
On any given day, several people, some with no reason, have access to your medical records.
I’m not saying all healthcare workers are dishonest and nosy.
