Patient Information
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Protecting Your Health Information
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Protecting the privacy of information about your medical conditions and health is a responsibility MeritCare has always taken very seriously. In April 2003, HIPAA — Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — put into effect new nationwide standardized privacy laws. These laws further ensure privacy by mandating how healthcare organizations may use and disclose patient information. MeritCare is fully complying with these laws.
Understanding your privacy rights
All patients are given opportunity to read MeritCare's "Notice of Privacy Practices" which explains your rights under HIPAA. New patients receive a copy of the "Notice of Privacy Practices" either through the mail or at their first visit to any MeritCare location. All patients receive this document one time and are asked to sign an acknowledgement of receipt to serve as a record that they have received it. You'll find the Notice of Privacy Practices link below.
How privacy laws affect your access to other patients' health information
Privacy laws also affect the availability of information about the medical condition of another person. The "release of information" process has been reviewed and modified to comply with HIPAA requirements regarding third party access to confidential patient information. MeritCare will take any additional steps necessary to ensure a patient's information is released only to authorized parties.
For more information
If you still have questions about HIPAA, contact the MeritCare Privacy Officer toll free at (800) 600-8422 or e-mail privacyoffice@meritcare.com.