由 home-healthhaven 
Navigating the U.S. healthcare system can be tricky, but it’s important to know that you have specific rights when it comes to treatment, your medical records, informed consent, and how your medical information is handled. Regardless of your health condition or your ability to pay, you have the right to be treated with respect, without any discrimination from insurance companies, health practitioners, or providers.
### Medical Records
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was enacted in 1996, protects your right to confidentiality regarding your health and personal health information (PHI). This includes medical test results, billing details, lab reports, and doctor’s notes. HIPAA ensures the privacy of electronically filed medical records and secures any electronic equipment used to store or transfer these records. If you feel your rights under HIPAA have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services.
Everyone in a medical office, from the receptionist to the office managers and assistants, should be trained in HIPAA and follow its protocols to protect your information.
### Choosing Treatment
When you understand all the treatment options available based on your condition, you have the right to choose the best one for you. Medical professionals must ensure you have informed consent, meaning they need to explain treatment options, benefits, and risks before you agree to anything.
### Informed Consent
Doctors and medical facilities must obtain your signed consent before carrying out any diagnosis, treatment, procedure, or test. You should only sign this consent form after receiving a clear explanation of all the benefits and risks involved.
### Refusing Medical Treatment
You have the right to refuse any medical treatment, whether it’s for management, curative, preventative, or palliative care. This right applies even if refusing treatment might be life-threatening. Sometimes financial reasons make treatment unaffordable, and you can refuse care based on your financial situation.
### Protecting Patient Rights
Healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, and medical staff—must ensure patients’ rights are respected. This includes keeping medical records secure, providing clear treatment options, and obtaining informed consent. Your choice to refuse treatment must also be honored.
Medical facilities often use call centers, answering services, or nurse telephone triage services. Staff in these roles should be fully trained in HIPAA protocols to maintain patient confidentiality and rights.
The best way for medical facilities to protect patient rights is to create a detailed office manual outlining daily operations and how to maintain patient rights. Additionally, any outsourced medical answering services must follow strict protocols to protect patient information and comply with regulations.