Can the VA and a private hospital share your medical records without your permission?

Answer 1

They can share DOLLAR AMOUNTS in the form of a medical bureau report, without your permission. They can't share diagnoses or other specific information without your permission.

It's pretty unusual to have them violate that; if you think it's happened, more than likely you gave permission without realizing it, by signing forms of one sort or another.

Answer 2

If it's related to Treatment or Payment (of claims), then they can.

For instance, if the insurance wants to see the doctor's documentation in order to pay the claim, they can ask, and as long as the medical provider has provided you with the HIPAA release of information, they can send it to the insurance. (Falls under Payment)

If you see one doctor at the VA and a different one at the private hospital, one may want to see how the other is treating your ailment and that falls under Treatment.

Answer 3

I work for a health insurance company, and we must strictly adhere to the HIPAA laws. They/we cannot share your info for marketing purposes without your permission, you also have the option of setting up who can access your information (often referred to as a personal representative). There are also certain procedures and diagnosis that we cannot share with anyone except you, the patient. There is a lot of info available. Unfortunately I'm at work so I can't go into too much detail here... but check out these links for additional info.

Answer 4

No. But, if you were at the hospital or VA, and you signed any paper work.... That paperwork contained an authorization/release form allowing them to share your med recs for the purpose of payment & coordination of your care.

Answer 5

NO! There are Federal laws that protect you. Remind them about HIPAA. I am sure they have heard of it. I can't go to a hospital any more without seeing posters about HIPAA Privacy laws any more. The bad thing is, you may have signed to release that info without realizing you did it. Most medical facilities have you sign the release as part of the initial paper work.

Answer 6

yes - for PTO payment treatment and operations of claims (insurance, billing company, referring physicians etc etc)
no - marketing, family, gossip, etc
yes/no - if you provide wirtten authorization to give PHI (personal health information) to any entity, attny, family, friends, employer, etc then the hospital may choose to release PHI to them with your auth. You can also limit who the hospital should never release to, in writing.

Answer 7

UNFORTUNATELY, Yes...As usually exists,there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rules...Mbrcatz1 provided one..another would be if you were unable to provide permission and failed to provide anyone else with authority to act on your behalf...Am sure there are others..