Myth Buster: HIPAA prevents patients and families from accessing PHI

MYTH:  HIPAA prevents patients and families from accessing PHI.

FACT:  HIPAA allows patients and families to access PHI when certain requirements have been met.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule allows a patient and family members to access the patient’s protected health information (PHI) if certain requirements are met.  The Privacy Rule requires covered entities to disclose PHI to the indiviudal patient or personal representative.  To learn more about when patients and families can access PHI, please read our Myth Buster.