The HIM professionals at the Medical Center offer five steps you can take to ensure the protection and confidentiality of your personal health information:
- Read your healthcare provider’s and health plan’s Notice of Privacy Practices. This notice informs you about your rights and how they may use your personal health information. Remember that you can request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your health information for treatment, payment, or notification purposes.
- Talk to your healthcare provider and health plan if you have any concerns about the confidentiality of your health information.
- Read the fine print before you authorize release of information. The authorization should specify who is to receive your health information and the purpose of its use.
- Know what health information is being collected about you and by whom. Find out what safeguards are used to keep it confidential.
- Be cautious before giving your information on Web sites, phone surveys, or in health screening questionnaires. Know how the information may be used or disclosed. AHIMA is the premier association of HIM professionals. AHIMA’s 50,000 members are dedicated to the effective management of personal health information needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to advancing the HIM profession in an increasingly electronic and global environment through leadership in advocacy, education, certification, and lifelong learning. For information about the Association, go to ahima.org.
Additional Information:
NC Health Care Information
Living Will/Advance Directives
