FAQs

health record is created any time you see a health professional such as a doctor, nurse, dentist, chiropractor, or psychiatrist. You could find the following in your health record:

• Your medical history and your family’s medical history
• Labs and x-rays
• Medications prescribed
• Alcohol use and sexual activity
• Details about your lifestyle (smoking, exercise, recreational drug use, high-risk sports, stress levels)
• Doctor/nurse notes
• Results of operations and proceduresGenetic testing
• Research participation
• Any Information you provide on applications for disability, life or accidental insurance with private insurers or government programs
• Driver’s License
• Social Security Number
• Financial information such as credit cards and payment info

Many more people than you would ever want, including people outside the health care industry.

• Insurance companies
• Government agencies especially if you receive Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, SSI, Workers Comp or any local, state or federal assistance
• Employers
• Banks, Financial Institutions
• Researchers
• If you are involved in a court case, your health records can be subpoenaed and available to the public
• Marketers
• Drug companies
• Data miners
• Transcribers in and outside the U.S.
• Many health websites collect information about you

Yes.

The Amended HIPAA Privacy Rule states only that you must receive a Privacy Notice telling you how your personal health information will be used and disclosed. Section 164.520(c) (2) (i) (A).
Privacy Notices are often mistaken for consent forms, but they are simply notices telling you what will happen to your medical records.