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Health Information:
Privacy and Security
Five Tips
to Protect Your Personal Health Information
Protecting health
information is a top priority. The health information management
professionals at Lee Memorial Health System provide five tips
for protecting your personal health information:
1) Understand your
information rights as a healthcare consumer. You have the right
to view and receive copies of your medical information and the
right to complain about medical privacy practices or breaches of
privacy.
2) Read the Statement of Privacy Notice that your healthcare
provider and health plan are required to provide you at the time
of service or upon request. Understand your rights, what types
of information are maintained, and how each entity uses or
handles it.
3) Be aware that not all organizations or entities that
collect and maintain your health information are covered by
federal or state privacy laws.
4) Obtain and maintain copies of your medical records and
information so you can use the information to monitor your care
and spot any errors in the information.
5) Establish a personal health record (PHR) to monitor the
accuracy of your health information. PHRs are an excellent way
for you to play a leading role in your healthcare by tracking
and monitoring your health status or that of family members in
your care.
Talk to your healthcare
provider if you have any concerns about the confidentiality of
your health information.
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