It's All About The Questions

What does HIPAA mean? Why does it seem to be implemented differently at each medical office you go to? Can they refuse to give you your medical information in a timely manner? What MUST they give you and when? Can you be charged to get it? What can a medical provider never do with your medical information? I caregive for my mom and am in doctor's offices and hospitals frequently. I am appalled by the documents I am required to sign and how they vary from one office to another. It is also a problem of staff training. I recently was asked to sign a form that would give permission for the office to give out my contact info and other information to essentially anyone they wanted (3rd party affiliates, doctors, billing companies and others was the phrasing). They grouped the doctor under there and said if we do not sign the doctor cannot call me even about results and the staff cannot call me about appointments. Is that allowed? My guest helped draft the law that became HIPAA here in the United States and is the l