Most American patients believe that signing all the "privacy notices" at the doctor's office, hospitals, pharmacies and other places mean that your health records will not be used or disclosed without your permission.  We believe that our signature ensures that no one can look at the sensitive information of health records, including prescriptions, tests, diagnosis without our permission - and most importantly, we believe that what we tell our doctors is private.

Unfortunately, WE ARE WRONG.  The individual right to decide who sees and uses the sensitive and personal health information of you and your family was eliminated in 2003 with an amendment to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act  (HIPPA) of 1996,  "Privacy Rule" - effectively eliminating the "right of consent."

The Privacy Rule removed patient consent and allowed over 4 million businesses, employers, government agencies, insurance companies, billing firms and all their business associates, including pharmaceutical companies, marketing firms and data miners.  While your doctor most likely wishes to protect your information, once the records are sent out of their offices, they can no longer control who can see or use this information. 

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION?

Patients should feel empowered to protect their health information - and can easily take action with their doctors.  Our friends at Patient Privacy Rights (www.patientprivacyrights.org) have put together a toolkit for patients of materials that patients can bring to their doctor visits, and doctors can make available for patients.

• Consent Form
• How to talk to your Doctor about privacy
• Opt out of the AMA Database
• Checklist: Manage your consents
• Request your records

Section 164.524 of HIPAA: Access of Individuals to Protected Health Information

• Complaint form to HHS
• Private pay form

Doctor Patient Medical Association believes the highest level of trust between patient and medical professionals is necessary for the highest level of care.

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More DPMA info on privacy:

"What's the Big Deal About Patient Privacy" - Kathryn Serkes, June 4, 2012  http://www.doctorsandpatients.org/blog/69-whats-the-big-deal-about-patient-privacy

More information on privacy:

Patient Privacy Rights - visit www.patientprivacyrights.org

http://epic.org/privacy/medical/

http://www.privacyrights.org/Medical-Privacy

Watch & Listen - more information

Listen to an interview with DPMA's Michael Ostrolenk and Patient Privacy Rights about the 2nd International Summit on the Future of Health Privacy, including what the concerns are as America moves to more electronic health records.

http://www.ostrolenkradio.com/2012/05/2nd-international-summit-on-the-future-of-health-privacy/

Michael Ostrolenk presenting on medical privacy in 2009 Congressional Briefing, Healthcare Reform Stories From the Frontlines. Russell Senate Office Building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsOioLuIyBg