10 Myths About HIPAA, Patients and Medical Records Privacy

In fact, some records may be withheld and not provided to you.

If you request records that the provider or facility deems may be harmful to you, they may deny you access. These records are often mental health records. They cannot be withheld just because the provider believes they will upset you. But you can be denied if the provider thinks you will do harm to yourself because of their outcome.

• Myth #1: HIPAA prevents sharing of information to family members.
• Myth #2: Only patients or caregivers may get copies of health records.
• Myth #3: Employers are payers, and can gain access to an employee's records.
• Myth #4: HIPAA laws prevent doctors from exchanging email with their patients.
• Myth #5: Providers are required by law to provide all medical records to you.
• Myth #6: Patients denied access to their records may sue to get copies.
• Myth #7: HIPAA laws cover privacy and security for all medical records.
• Myth #8: Providers are required to correct any errors found in patient records.
• Myth #9: Your health and medical records cannot affect your credit records.
• Myth #10: Medical information cannot be legally sold or used for marketing.