The Privacy Rule gives you rights over your health information and sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information.

Your Health Information Is Protected

Most of us believe that our medical and other health information is private and should be protected, and we want to know who has this information. The Privacy Rule, a Federal law, gives you rights over your health information and sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. The Privacy Rule applies to all forms of individuals' protected health information, whether electronic, written, or oral. The Security Rule, a Federal law that protects health information in electronic form, requires entities covered by HIPAA to ensure that electronic protected health information is secure.

What Information Is Protected

•Information your doctors, nurses, and other health care providers put in your medical record •Conversations your doctor has about your care or treatment with nurses and others •Information about you in your health insurer’s computer system •Billing information about you at your clinic •Most other health information about you held by those who must follow these laws