Patient Privacy for Vanguard Gastroenterology in New York City, NY
Table of Contents:
Can My Physician Discuss My Case With Other Providers And/Or Staff In The Office?
Will The Doctor’s Office Still Leave Message Reminders At My Home?
Can My Physician Still Use A Sign-In Sheet And/Or Call My Name In The Waiting Room To Announce My “Turn”?
Can My Physician Still Fax Records?
Do The HIPAA Requirements Apply To Non Physician Staff ?
Can My Physician Discuss My Care With A Close Family Member Or Friend As We Have Been Doing In The Past?
Does HIPAA Still Allow Parents The Right To Access Their Children’s Records?
Does HIPAA Prevent Physician Offices From Reporting Patients To Collection Agencies?
Patient Bill Of Rights
Privacy Question? Here’s Our Commonly Asked Question Regarding Your Privacy Rights.
Yes, as long as your physician is discussing only the information needed to accomplish a legitimate function (like treatment or payment for your treatment). This is called the “minimum necessary” standard under the Privacy Rule.
Yes. unless you object to having the office contact you at your home, such as with appointment reminders, your physician will continue to leave message reminders and communications with you as necessary to provide quality service.
Yes. your physician may still have you sign your name at the time of registration or announce your name in order to call you to an exam room.
Yes. your physician may fax your health information as long as reasonable safeguards are used.
Yes. everyone working in the office must follow these rules.
Yes. HIPAA allows your physician to disclose your health information to family members and friends involved in your care as long as you do not object to the disclosure.
Parents of children 17 years and under generally have access to their child’s health information. However, HIPAA usually defers to state law in recognizing certain confidential relationships.
If my physician is referring me to another physician, can this physician have access to my records before I enter his/her office for the first time?
Yes. HIPAA does not prohibit the physician from accessing your health information to prepare the process for seeing you for the first time.
No. Under HIPAA, collection activities are considered legitimate payment functions, and disclosures of “minimum necessary” data to collection or credit agencies to receive payment are possible.
Does HIPAA Allow My Physician To Share My Health Information To Market Goods And Services?
No. HIPAA prohibits the selling or disclosing of your private health information.