Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) became effective April 14, 2003. This is a federal law and requires that health care workers describe how your protected health information is disclosed, with whom that information may be shared, and the safeguards that are in place to protect it. You have certain rights to access and amend your protected health information. You have the right to approve or refuse the release of specific information except where the release is required or authorized by law or regulation.