How does HIPAA affect someones access to there medial records?

Answer 1

Yes. Except for a few notable exceptions, HIPAA ensures a patient's right to see their own medical records, and to petition the Covered Entity (CE) -- the doctor, hospital, insurance company, etc., to correct mistakes in the medical record. Exceptions that prevent access to medical records include (but are not limited to): * Psych notes -- they can't be shown to the patient. * Any notation that may be deemed harmful to the patient (this is VERY rare). * Any information that includes another person's Protected Health Information (PHI). * Any information that may endanger another person whose name is listed in the record. * If the patient is currently a convicted prisoner, and the CE is the incarceration facility (private incarceration facilities may or may not be included in this). * Any information that includes the name of a third party who gave information regarding the patient in confidence (the name may be redacted as a remedy). * PHI not in the CE's possession. Barring these limitations, and a few others, the patient may ask for a copy of all records in the possession of that CE (called the Designated REcord Set). While not requried by HIPAA, the CE may legally require the request to be submitted in writing, and may require a reasonable time to assemble the record (30 days or so is the usual), and may charge a Small fee intended to offset copying costs. HIPAA however is very specific about these factors not being used by the CE to prevent the patient from seeing their own records, so you won't see much if any stonewalling. If the patient spots a mistake in the record, they may request, in writing, that this be amended. The CE has the option to either effect the amendment or to decline to do so. In the late cirumstance, a disinterested and qualified thrid party may be brought in to make an objective determination if the amendment should be included in the record. In the case of contradicting State Law, the law that is "more stringent" prevails. By more stringent, HIPAA refers to a law that protects the patient's privacy more, and also to the law that grants more access to the patient of their own DRS. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Cjonb 18:18, 3 Jun 2008 (UTC)

Answer 2

To obtain access to your medical records from a "covered entity" that maintains your protected health information, there are certain procedures to be followed under the privacy rule of HIPAA. According to the "HEALTH ASSISTANTS PARTNERSHIP" Right to access medical records under HIPAA privacy regulations the consumer's right to access medical records applies only if the information in the medical record falls within the definition of protected health information (PHI) under the HIPAA privacy regulation. PHI must be both 1) health information and 2) individually identifiable. Health information is broadly defined and means any oral or recorded information relating to the past, present, or future physical or mental health of an individual; the provision of health care to the individual; or the payment for health care. Individually identifiable means health information that identifies or reasonably can be used to identify the individual (and does not include information that has been de-identified). Under the HIPAA privacy regulation, covered entities have deadlines for responding to requests for medical records, and the regulation establishes a procedure for reviewing denials of these requests. The covered entities are also entitled to charge fees for copying and postages. Also the covered entity has 30 days time to reply or respond to the query of the patient. The access to your protected health information, request can be given in writing, where incase if there would be a denial to the access you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Civil Rights. Therefore, the Privacy Rule affects individuals' general right to access protected health information about themselves. ADDENDUM Actually, the patient in most cases is entitled to see the entire Designated Record Set (DRS) which will contain PHI but may also contain billing information and other commentary that is not HI.

Answer 3

the Heath Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has minimal impact on accessing your own medical record. there is additional paperwork involved, but you have the right to see your own medical record if you want to. what HIPAA mostly addresses is preventing information from being released to a third party, or someone not directly involved in your care, without your consent.

Answer 4

HIPPA does not limit a person's access to their own medical records. However, a healthcare institution may have their own rules that outline the steps a person must take to get a copy of their record. Ethically, it may be difficult for a non-healthcare professional to understand what they are reading in the medical record, so healthcare professionals may request that a physician explain parts of your record to you prior to you having all access to your chart.

Answer 5

Please see the link below

Answer 6

Yes it does

Answer 7

YES