Evidently, this past 4/14th started a new nationwide law that restricts hospitals or med facilities from disclosing third party info to anyone about a patient, even as far as not having to advise if someone is in the hospital. So how will this affect the verification process for these reduced med emergcy fares? I know in the past it was never policy to call the funeral home for bereavement verification, so now, to get the discount, will family members all be incorrectly referred to as deceased instead of hospitalized for emergency?
SUMMARY OF NEW RIGHTS(last paragraph most applicable):
Doctors and hospitals are barred from giving out patient information to third parties for marketing purposes or to employers, unless a patient specifically agrees.
Patients have a right to know if their records have been shared with law-enforcement or with public-health authorities.
Patients have the right to examine their medical records and to request corrections.
Health-care companies may not disclose patient information beyond what is minimally necessary to deliver care.
Patients may prohibit hospitals from giving information about their condition to family, friends, clergy and reporters who call. Most hospitals have new policies about giving information about a patient''s condition. This was once routinely provided to family, friends, clergy and reporters who called. Under the new rules, hospitals must give patients a chance to opt out of any hospital directory. No information -- even that a patient is in the hospital -- may be released if a patient objects. Even if a patient should agree to a general listing, hospitals may release only limited information without specific authorization and only if a caller asks about a patient by name.
SUMMARY OF NEW RIGHTS(last paragraph most applicable):
Doctors and hospitals are barred from giving out patient information to third parties for marketing purposes or to employers, unless a patient specifically agrees.
Patients have a right to know if their records have been shared with law-enforcement or with public-health authorities.
Patients have the right to examine their medical records and to request corrections.
Health-care companies may not disclose patient information beyond what is minimally necessary to deliver care.
Patients may prohibit hospitals from giving information about their condition to family, friends, clergy and reporters who call. Most hospitals have new policies about giving information about a patient''s condition. This was once routinely provided to family, friends, clergy and reporters who called. Under the new rules, hospitals must give patients a chance to opt out of any hospital directory. No information -- even that a patient is in the hospital -- may be released if a patient objects. Even if a patient should agree to a general listing, hospitals may release only limited information without specific authorization and only if a caller asks about a patient by name.
