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-Communicating with family, friends, and others
involved in your health care.
You have the right to keep
your health information private, but there may be times
when you'd like to share it with others.
Under HIPAA,
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act,
you have rights over your medical records,
whether that information is stored
on paper or electronically,
and you can always ask your provider not
to share your information with your family and friends.
But, if you don't object, your health care provider
can share your information with those involved in your care.
For example, a surgeon who has just operated on you
can tell your family about your condition
and you can send a friend to pick prescriptions,
medical supplies, and X-rays for you.
If you're not able to object,
your provider can discuss your situation
with family or friends involved in your care,
if that's in your best interest.
So you can balance getting the care you need
and the privacy you're entitled to.
Know your rights.
To find out more about how
your health information can be shared,
visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights at hhs.gov/ocr.