Healthcare Privacy Laws in Oregon Essay

The privacy of personal health information continues to be the subject of heated debate in the United States of America. With the major part of the health data being computerized, more and more patients express concern for their privacy and control over their health information. A federal law, called the HIPAA Privacy Rule gives every individual the right to see, obtain a copy of, and add information to one`s medical record.Healthcare Privacy Laws in Oregon Essay

Numerous laws in the State of Oregon also protect patients and their personal health information from disclosure or unlawful use. The healthcare privacy law ensures the confidentiality of medical information and records of patients in foster homes for adults, nursing homes, health agencies and individuals receiving mental healthcare. All insurers willing to offer health benefit plans are obliged to ensure the patient records and information to be completely confidential (Policy for Protected Health Information, 2012). Healthcare Privacy Laws in Oregon Essay

The healthcare privacy law of Oregon, being probably the most stringent privacy law in the US, specifies several classes of information to be specially protected. These are: information relating to genetics, mental health, alcohol and drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, as well as the information regarding minors (Dayton & Apgar, 2007). Any kind of release of protected healthcare information generally requires a specific authorization from the patient. Thus, any disclosure for the sake of treatment, healthcare operations or payment should be authorized. Such authorization has to be specific, time limited and event driven, it cannot be valid longer than one and a half year.Healthcare Privacy Laws in Oregon Essay