This guide only discusses how to get and amend (correct) your medical records from health care providers who have to follow the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The guide mentions some related topics without discussing them in detail. Here are some resources where you can find information about these related topics.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Records
Records related to alcohol and drug treatment may be subject to other privacy rules. You can get more information about these records at:
http://hipaa.samhsa.gov/Part2ComparisonCleared.htm
Medical Records in General
You can read general information on your medical record rights, the flow of medical information, and how to create a personal medical record at http://www.myphr.com/
a Website operated by the American Health Information Management Association, an association of professionals who manage medical records and information.
Medical Terms
You can find out the meaning of many medical terms and medical shorthand from the Medical Library Association’s Website at:
http://www.mlanet.org/resources/consumr_index.html
Your library might also have books or brochures that explain medical terms.
Mental Health Treatment Records
For information about mental health rights and referral services in New York you can contact:
Advocacy Services Bureau
NYS Commission on Quality of Care
401 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305-2397
(518) 388-2892 or 1-800-624-4143 (toll free)
The HIPAA Privacy Rule treats most mental health treatment records like other medical records. However, psychotherapy notes (as defined by the HIPAA Privacy Rule) are treated differently. You can find what types of records are included in psychotherapy notes and how these notes are treated in the Summary of the Privacy Rule written by the Office for Civil Rights, HHS at:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/.
New York Medical Record Access Laws
Some health care providers do not have to follow the HIPAA Privacy Rule. These providers must still follow New York laws that give you the right to see and get a copy of your medical record. You can read New York Public Health Law, Section 18, the state law that gives you access to your medical records, on the New York State Legislature's Web site at http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menuf.cgi. Look under "Laws of New York," under "PBH," Article 1, Title 2, Section 18.
