About HIPAA

Learn More About Your Health Information Privacy Rights

Anne Arundel Medical Center and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) would like to help better educate consumers about the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and their health information privacy rights.

• Can my healthcare provider leave messages for me on my answering machine or with someone who answers the phone?
  The Privacy Rule does not prohibit healthcare providers from leaving messages for patients on their answering machines. The Rule also permits healthcare providers to disclose limited information to family members, friends, or other persons regarding your care, even when you are not present. You do have the right to request an alternative communication method if you do not wish to receive messages at home.
• Does my healthcare provider need my approval to disclose my personal health information to another healthcare provider?
  Your provider can share your health information with another provider if there is a reason to believe you will receive care there.
• Do I have to sign the Notice of Privacy Practices form in order to receive healthcare?
  Your signature is not required. Your healthcare provider must provide the notice and make a good faith effort to obtain a written acknowledgement from you that you received it.
• Can my doctor discuss my care with my family members?
  The Privacy Rule permits healthcare provides to share information that is directly relevant to the involvement of a spouse, family members, friends, or other persons identified by you regarding your care or payment for healthcare. Your provider may also share relevant information with your family or other persons if it can reasonably infer, based on professional judgment, that you do not object.
• Can my name and location while in the hospital be given out without my consent?
  You must specifically ask not to be listed in a hospital's directory if you do not want it known that you are a patient there.

For more information about your personal health information privacy rights, visit www.myphr.com.