Your health information is privileged information that you’re really able to take control of, to protect your privacy for the better. The HIPAA provides for that, and ensures that you’re going to be able to protect those medical records under just about any type of circumstance. That’s why it’s important that you really understand the rule, as well as the most common ways that it’s abused so that you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim. While it’s not always the easiest type of rule to understand, it’s really important that you do so that you can better grasp what medicine means to you.
Basically this is a government sanction intended to really protect your information from being used in any way that you would not approve of. That’s why it’s important to understand all the ways in which the HIPAA rule is meant to protect you and ensure that your private medical records remain as such.
1) Understanding the HIPAA privacy rule
This was a rule enacted by the US Government in 1996 to better put the control of your medical records into your hand. That’s why it’s important that you understand what this really means. The first part of the HIPAA laws is that medical control is supposed to be totally in your hands. That means nobody can look at your records that you don’t provide permission to, via a written document. That way, you can ensure that your medical records are not carelessly strewn about, or shown to anybody that asks to see them, because of that protection.
Another portion of HIPAA privacy regulations include special dispensation for doctors and hospitals to protect your records reasonably. That means denying access to anyone that you do not provide permission, and that cannot provide proof as to their identity for anyone that has permission. This way, your records stay as secretive as you would like, so that you can retain your privacy in regards to your medical information. Literally nobody can see them that you don’t provide permission for, which ensures that you’re going to be able to keep yourself totally protected.
2) Penalties associated with breaking the HIPAA laws and regulations.
The most common way that HIPAA violations are dealt with, is throughout a fine. Most typically the fine per offense for violating the HIPAA laws, will fall between $100 and $50000. However, there is a limit to how much one organization can be fined, and any hospital can only be fined $1,500,000 per calendar year. What’s more, they are also able to make amends for the offense, by taking care of the leak or problem that occurred within 30 days, to completely avoid a fine.
What’s more, beyond just the hospital fines, you’re also going to find that with most HIPAA privacy rule violations, the person directly responsible can also be fined a sum of up to $50,000. What’s more, they can end up spending up to one year in prison in these types of situations as well. Of course, for those that fine can also be doubled, as well as jail time, if someone knowingly deceives you to get medical records, with the intent to sell them for fraudulent use.
3) What to do when you suspect an HIPAA violation.
When you suspect that your HIPAA privacy rule rights have been trampled or abused, it’s really important that you get into contact with your local government institutions as quickly as possible. This way, you can see about having the problem remedied as quickly as can be, and you can ensure that those responsible are investigated and punished accordingly. The faster that you react, the faster that you can expect your complaint to go through, so that you can ensure you’re able to protect yourself.
The best and easiest way to report HIPAA violations is through the online site hhs.gov. This is the official government site dedicated to the HIPAA privacy rule and upholding HIPAA laws so that you can ensure that your rights will be protected. There you can find all the necessary forms, and even local offices that you need to get into touch with, when you want to report any type of crime that needs to be investigated.