Patient Empowerment

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Medical Records, Medical Codes and Medical Records Privacy

From family history, to your personal medical history, to doctors' notes and test results, your medical records can be invaluable in determining both diagnosis and treatment.
How to Get Your Medical Test Results
Smart patients understand the importance of hearing back from the doctor about any medical tests, no matter what the medical test results. Here's now to get those results even when your provider doesn't provide them in a timely fashion.
A Tool for Recording Your Family Health and Medical History
The US Surgeon General has developed a great online application to help us record our family health history. Learn how to maximize use of this tool.
Medical Records, Privacy, Accuracy and Patients' Rights
Whether our medical records are written on paper and kept in a folder, or entered into a computer file and shared with providers on the other side of the world, mistakes can be made, privacy can be violated, and patients can be harmed. Learn more about what rights patients have and how they can protect themselves from medical record errors and privacy violations.
How to Request Your Medical Records
Savvy patients know that keeping copies of their medical records can help them make decisions about their healthcare. Federal and state laws spell out who may obtain which medical records, who must share them, how much it will cost to gain access to them, and the procedures for doing so.
Review Your Medical Records for Errors
Even the smallest discrepancy on your medical records can make a huge difference in your diagnosis or treatment. Knowing where those errors are found, and how to correct them may keep you healthier.
How to Correct Errors in your Medical Records
From simple typos to major mistakes in the recording of medical test results or symptoms, errors are commonly found in patients' medical records. Smart patients know how important it is to make corrections to their records, and the procedure for making those corrections.
HIPAA and Issues of Privacy and Security
HIPAA, the Health Information Portability Accountability Act, provides the basis for the sharing of healthcare information among those with a role on a patient's healthcare team. Empowered patients need an understanding of these laws to help them get the medical assistance they need.
10 Myths About HIPAA, Patients and Medical Records Privacy
Patients may think their privacy is protected by the Health Information Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) or they may think HIPAA just gets in the way of their care. There are any number of assumptions patients make about HIPAA that just aren't true.
EMRs and PHRs -- Electronic Patient Health and Medical Record Keeping
EMRs, Electronic Medical Records, and PHRs, personal health records, will soon be coming to a computer near you -- in your doctor's office, or your own home. Learn what they are, how you can control or review their information, and why they may, or may not, improve your health care.
Recording Your Family Health History
Your family medical history can help you and your doctor determine a diagnosis, or help you avoid the risk factors that may lead to disease. A family medical history is also a wonderful gift to share with your children.
Understanding Informed Consent
Informed consent is a concept that requires patients to understand the risks and benefits of any test, procedure or treatment a doctor recommends and a patient agrees to. Empowered patients need to understand just what they are agreeing to.
The Medical Information Bureau May Have a File on You
Patient-consumers are often surprised to learn of the existence of a reporting agency called the Medical Information Bureau (MIB.) Similar to credit reporting agencies, it may have a file on you that you should be aware of.
Avoiding the Consequences of Medical Identity Theft
Medical identity theft is a growing problem with negative consequences that can affect one's health and finances. A wise patient understands the possible consequences and how to avoid them.

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Patient Empowerment

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