For Consumers

For Consumers:

'via Blog this'

OCR Releases a “Right to Access” Memo at ONC’s “Patient Access Summit: Prioritizing Standards to Support Electronic Patient Access to Health Data”

June 4, 2012

Leon Rodriguez, Director of the Office for Civil Rights released a right to access memorandum educating consumers on their right to access their medical information at ONC’s “Patient Access Summit.”  The HIPAA Privacy Rule has always permitted this right to access, but many consumers have faced barriers in getting their health information.  It is vitally important that consumers understand this right which will enable them to engage more fully in their health care. At the summit, Leon reinforced that it is a consumer’s legal right to obtain a copy of their health formation and his office is committed to informing the public of that right and enforcing it at HIPAA covered entities. Visit the OCR website at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html  to obtain a copy of the memo and for videos, pamphlets, frequently asked questions and other guidance material to help consumers understand their rights under HIPAA.