Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Patient privacy is important to us. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal privacy rule that took effect April 14, 2003. It gives patients more control over their health information and greater protection of personal medical records. It also gives patients a choice of whether or not they want to be listed in the hospital's patient directory. Here are some changes you may encounter as a patient or a family member at hospitals:
Patients will be given a Notice of Privacy Practices and asked
to sign that they received it.- Family members may be asked additional questions to confirm their relationship to a patient and their identity before information is released.
- Families and friends will only receive information if the patient has consented to this.
- Patients and families may be asked to designate a family communicator.
Patient Directory
The patient directory is used to refer callers or visitors to a patient's nurse or room. If the patient has chosen to be listed in the patient directory, callers and visitors must provide the patient's first and last name before the hospital can give out any information about the patient, including the patient's location. If the patient has chosen not to be listed in the directory, by law the hospital is not allowed to release any information to callers and visitors, including confirmation of the patient's presence in the hospital. Callers and visitors will be told that there is no information for a patient by that name.
Know Your Options as a Patient
Opt Out
- Opt In
- If you decide to be listed in the hospital's directory, friends or family calling or visiting will need to provide your first and last name before they will be connected to your room or told your room location.
If you decide not to be listed in the hospital's patient directory, no one (including family, friends, pastoral counsel and media) will be able to find out if you are a patient at the hospital, your location or your condition. No flowers can be delivered to you. Callers and visitors will be told that there is no information for a patient by that name.
Remember, if you decide not to be listed in the hospital directory, no one will be able to find out how you are doing or if you are a patient at our hospital.Mason General Hospital respects the confidentiality of its patient's medical information. We are committed to making the medical privacy rule work for patients and those who care for them. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.