Privacy and Security
Is my health information private and secure in a Personal Health Record (PHR)?
In a PHR, your information is protected and kept safe from being viewed without your consent or authorization because of the strong security technology used by the companies who offer these tools. Also, since you create your own unique user ID and password, you can control who can see the information in your PHR.
Some of the organizations that provide PHRs include health plans and providers. Health plans and most health care providers are required to give you a Notice of Privacy Practices, which tells you how they keep your personal information private and safe, including when it is maintained in a PHR. If you don't remember seeing the privacy notice, you should ask the health plan or provider for a copy, or check the website where you log in to your PHR. For information related to the HIPAA Privacy Rule, such as protection of patient records, filing a privacy complaint or other questions, visit http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/ on the web.
Health Plans and most providers must meet the requirements of certain Federal and State Privacy and Security Rules (such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA) regarding your health information, to help keep any of your health records safe. Any personal health record offered to you by them should be very secure.
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