PRIVACY, PLEASE!
Protecting Personal
Medical Information
If you have ever visited the SAIC’s Health Services Office, you may have received services which you were not expecting to get. These services include the right to privacy, confidentiality, and to be educated as to your rights and responsibilities as a patient. You may think, “Isn’t this something that I should assume is happening when I visit my health care practitioner?” Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
As you know, in today’s world our personal and financial information can
get into the hands of those who will use it inappropriately. It is a fact that
peoples’ private health information has been obtained by medical marketing
personnel who use the information to advertise to people with specific medical
conditions without the consent of the patient. That violation of privacy is
one reason why the government’s Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) has issued medical privacy regulations. The “Privacy Rule,”
under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, (HIPAA),
will be implemented, for some, nationwide by April 14, 2003. (Some providers
have a one-year extension.) This privacy rule applies only to health plans,
health care clearing houses, and health-care providers.
With the implementation of the Privacy Rule, individuals are assured of access
to their medical information and are provided protection to the use of that
information. You may wonder how this will apply to you as a student. Well, if
you have ever called your health insurance carrier to inquire about payment
of your medical bill, your insurance company is allowed to divulge your information
only to you. With respect to your medical records that you submitted to Health
Services, the following policy is adhered to by the SAIC’s Health Services
Office.
We respect the nature of a student’s visit, and information shared with our staff remains in the strictest confidence. Information will not be released without the student’s consent, except in cases of emergency, when required by law, or when there is risk of imminent harm to the student or another individual.
As a health care client, you have choices, rights, and responsibilities. We are concerned with providing to you the very best in health care and ask that you participate in your own health care by being an active and informed consumer.
You have the right to:
- Be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, religion, age, sex,
beliefs, or lifestyles.
- Expect that all staff at SAIC Health Services will respect your personal privacy.
- Know the names and positions of the people serving you.
- Receive accurate and understandable education, counseling, and explanations
to your questions.
- Participate in decisions regarding your health care.
- Exercise your cultural and spiritual beliefs.
- Consent to, or refuse treatment, except as prohibited by law, and to be informed
of the consequences of making this decision.
- Obtain appropriate referrals to providers and services.
You have a responsibility to:
- Be honest about your medical history and other information you provide to
the staff.
- Ask questions about anything you do not understand.
- Follow health care advice and medical instructions, or discuss with the staff
any obstacles you may have following the instructions/recommendations.
- Communicate any changes or lack of improvement in your health and/or condition
to your health care providers.
- Be familiar with your health insurance policy coverage.
- Be accountable for any charges billed to you.
- Respect clinic and school policies.
To obtain more detailed information about privacy and confidentiality issues,
please stop by the Health Services Office.
Linda Pas, RN, is Director of SAIC Health Services
Sources: www.SAVETHEPATIENT.org