One of those forms—called the Notice of Privacy Practices—explains your rights regarding your health information and tells you how your health information can be used or shared. Most doctors must give you the Notice at your first appointment, and most health plans must give you the Notice when you enroll.
A copy of the Notice may also be posted in a clear, easy-to-find location in a doctor’s office, pharmacy or hospital, be mailed to you by your health insurance company or be posted on a doctor’s or health insurance company’s website. If you can’t find it, ask for it. Your health provider or health insurance company must give it to anyone who asks.
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How your health care provider or insurer is allowed to use or share your health information
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Your privacy rights, which include your right to get a copy of your health file, review it, ask that it be corrected and complain if you think your privacy rights have been violated
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Your doctor’s or insurer’s legal duties to protect your health information
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Whom to contact for more information about your doctor or insurance company’s privacy policies
Signing does not mean that you have given up any of your rights or agreed to any special uses of your health records. You are just confirming that you received the Notice. If you choose not to sign, your provider must keep a record that you didn’t.
Whether you sign or not has no effect on your health care—your provider must still treat you.
For more information about the Notice of Privacy Practices and your privacy rights, visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services