What is HIPAA?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a law that protects the rights of people with group health insurance plans. Health insurance through a job is an example of a group plan. Sometimes companies try to limit what they cover for some conditions. Sometimes they try to not cover people who have pre-existing health problems. HIPAA helps to keep companies from being unfair to people. HIPAA may also give people a right to purchase individual insurance if they have no group health plan and they have exhausted other coverage.12
This law also gives people rights over their health information. Providers and health insurers who are required to follow this law must give you the right to:
- See or get a copy of your health records
- Have corrections added to your health information
- Receive a notice telling you how your health information may be used and shared
- Decide if you want to give permission before your health information can be used or shared for some purposes13
If you believe you have been treated unfairly or your health information is not being protected, you can do the following:
- File a complaint with your provider or health insurer
- File a complaint with the U.S. government
HIPAA Information
800-368-1019