As an insured individual, you have the right to expect privacy of your personal and health information.

However, with the increasing use of technology and electronic records, it is important to understand your privacy rights in order to protect your sensitive information.

What is Protected Health Information?

Protected Health Information (PHI) is any information that identifies you and relates to your physical or mental health.

This includes your medical records, medical history, and any information gathered by a healthcare provider or insurance company during the course of treatment or payment for services.

The Right to Privacy

The right to privacy is a fundamental human right, and this extends to your personal and health information.

In the United States, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects your privacy rights by setting standards for the protection of your PHI.

How Your Information is Used

Your health information is used by healthcare providers and insurance companies to provide you with quality care and to pay for services rendered.

This includes sharing your PHI with third-party entities, such as medical billing companies or other healthcare providers involved in your treatment.

Your Right to Access Your PHI

Under HIPAA, you have the right to access your PHI. This means that you can request a copy of your medical records or any other documents related to your treatment or payment for services.

You may be charged a reasonable fee for copying and mailing your records, but this fee cannot exceed the actual cost of copying and mailing.

Your Right to Request Corrections to Your PHI

If you believe that your PHI is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request corrections. Your healthcare provider or insurance company must respond to your request within 60 days and, if appropriate, make the necessary corrections.

Your Right to File a Complaint

If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint. You can file a complaint with your healthcare provider, insurance company, or with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Your Right to Opt-Out

Under HIPAA, you have the right to opt-out of certain uses of your PHI. For example, you can opt-out of receiving marketing materials from your healthcare provider or insurance company.

You can also opt-out of having your PHI shared with certain third-party entities.

The Importance of Protecting Your PHI

Your PHI contains sensitive information about your health and your personal life. It is important to protect this information in order to prevent identity theft and other forms of fraud.

You should always be careful when sharing your PHI and should only share this information with trusted entities.

Conclusion

As an insured individual, you have the right to expect privacy of your personal and health information.

With the increasing use of technology and electronic records, it is important to understand your privacy rights and to protect your sensitive information. Under HIPAA, you have the right to access your PHI, request corrections, file complaints, and opt-out of certain uses of your PHI. Protecting your PHI is important in preventing identity theft and other forms of fraud.