The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) recently released a series of videos that explain patient rights when it comes to accessing their health information.
“Many people are not fully aware of their right to access their own medical records under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), including the right to access a copy when their health information is stored electronically,” ONC Chief Privacy Officer Lucia Savage said. “The videos we released today highlight the basics for individuals to get access to their electronic health information and direct it where they wish, including to third-party applications.”
The videos, which the ONC created with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), highlight information like the basics of the HIPAA access regulation, when a provider may not share information and acceptable incurred costs.
The ONC also released a Patient Engagement Playbook for Providers, which is geared towards helping clinicians and office staff work with patients through health IT.
“We must engage individuals in order to advance the safe and secure flow of health information,” ONC Chief Medical Officer Tom Mason said. “The playbook we’re releasing today provides clinicians with the resources they need to get the most out of their health IT and help patients put their electronic information to work to better manage their health.”
