HIPAA is the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The primary goal of the law is to make it easier for people to keep health insurance, protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information and help the healthcare industry control administrative costs. It is your right to ask to see and get a copy of your health records if you so desired. You may also have the corrections added to your health information. You have the right to receive a notice that tells you how your health information may be used and shared. You may decide if you want to give your permission before your health information can be used or shared for a certain purposes, such as marketing.
From time to time, if you wish, you should be able to get a report on when and why your health information was shared for a certain purpose. Furthermore, if you believe that your rights are being denied, or your health information is not being protected, you may file a complaint with your provider or health insurer. You may also file a compliant with the US Government. www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/