Privacy 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was designed to improve the portability and continuity of healthcare coverage in the group and individual insurance markets and to improve protections against fraud and abuse within the industry. 

Significant provisions of the Act are standards for the privacy of protected individual health information, the electronic transmissions of health information and the security of this information. HIPAA requires changes in how healthcare information is handled, transferred and stored within the institution. It requires ongoing review and modification of systems, policies, procedures and most importantly behavior.

What does this mean for patients?

For patients the enactment of HIPAA is intended to provide more information with which to make informed choices when seeking healthcare and a better understanding of how their personal health information may be used. HIPAA gives patients the right to examine and request copies of their own health records, request corrections and to find out if and how their personal health information has been used for purposes other than treatment.

What is Birth N’ Beyond doing about HIPAA?

At Birth N’ Beyond the privacy and confidentiality of our patient's personal health information is taken very seriously. Policies and procedures are already in place to help assure the privacy of those who seek care in our office. The HIPAA guidelines will assist us in fine tuning our privacy and confidentiality policies to better serve our patients.

For any question regarding HIPAA, please call 607-732-1515

What does it mean for Social media?

No pictures, names or identifying information will be used on websites or social media platforms 

Minor Children

Minor children (under the age of 18) may have information released only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, in accordance with the preceding guidelines.

Additional Restrictions

Information may not be released in instances where releasing information about any patient associated with the commission of a crime or where the safety and security of both patients and hospital personnel may be jeopardized.

Public Information

Healthcare providers are required to observe the general prohibitions against releasing protected health information (PHI) about patients found in the HIPAA privacy standards, state statutes or regulations and the common law, regardless of what information is in the hands of public agencies or the public in general. Requests for PHI from the media on grounds that a public agency, such as law enforcement, is involved in the matter will be denied.

Where do I learn more about HIPAA?

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - https://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaaGenInfo/
U.S Department of Health and Human Services - https://aspe.hhs.gov/

Online Privacy

We are committed to keeping secure the data you provide us, and will take reasonable precautions to protect your personally identifiable information from theft, loss, misuse or alteration. 

Further Questions:

You may contact us about any further questions by calling:

607-732-1515

Terms of Use ("Terms") 

Last updated: May 20, 2024