When Is HIPAA Renewed in Patient Charts?
If you have ever visited a doctor's office, you have signed paperwork about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It may sound confusing, but simply put it is a law that protects your privacy. Health care providers should always be knowledgeable about this law.-
Definition of HIPAA
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Congress passed HIPAA in 1996. It requires heath-care providers to keep patients' medical records private unless they have permission to disclose it. At the same time, it permits disclosure of records under special circumstances if it is necessary for patient care. For example, if you are rendered unconscious, your spouse may have permission to access your records so he or she can make important medical decisions when you cannot.
How HIPAA is Enforced
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As a consumer, when you receive medical treatment you sign documentation with your provider that states they must keep your medical records confidential. When you sign, you can choose to assign people to whom you want your information disclosed to. In turn, health-care providers sign agreements with any contractors they work with so that their procedures protect your information. The U.S. Office for Civil Rights enforces HIPAA; if your rights are violated, you can sue your healthcare provider.
Renewal
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Under U.S. law, HIPAA is always in effect for anyone receiving medical treatment. It therefore does not need to be "renewed" in patient charts. A patient may choose at any time to change whom they would like to disclose their medical records to, and healthcare providers may update charts at that point.
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