If I am in an accident and taken to a hospital by ambulance does HIPPA prevent the release of my medical and prescription history? What does HIPPA do there: protect me or possibly cause me harm?
What have you learned about this situation from your book?
To whom would the hospital release your medical information? For what purpose?
Read all this carefully:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPAA#Privacy_Rule
Especially this: "A covered entity may disclose PHI to facilitate treatment, payment, or health care operations,[14] or if the covered entity has obtained authorization from the individual.[15] However, when a covered entity discloses any PHI, it must make a reasonable effort to disclose only the minimum necessary information required to achieve its purpose.[16]" and check on the footnote references to get the original wording. Footnotes are at the bottom of the Wikipedia page.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a U.S. federal law that sets standards to protect patients' medical information and governs the use and disclosure of that information by healthcare providers. In the context of your situation, HIPAA is designed to protect your medical and prescription history from being released to unauthorized individuals or organizations without your consent.
When you are taken to a hospital by ambulance after an accident, the healthcare providers involved are generally allowed to access your medical information, including your prescription history, to provide appropriate care. This is known as the "minimum necessary" standard, meaning they are only allowed to access and use the information necessary for the specific circumstances of your treatment.
HIPAA strikes a balance between protecting your privacy rights and allowing for the sharing of information among healthcare professionals involved in your care. It ensures that healthcare providers can communicate and share information securely and appropriately, which is essential for your treatment. This means that in most cases, HIPAA works to protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized access to your medical information.
However, it is important to note that the law does allow for disclosure of your medical information without your consent in certain circumstances, such as when required by law or to protect public health. Additionally, HIPAA does not prevent healthcare providers from sharing relevant information about your condition with your family members or other caregivers if it is necessary for your care or if you have given them permission to receive information about your condition.
Overall, HIPAA exists to protect your privacy and ensure the confidentiality of your medical information. While there may be rare instances where it could potentially impede communication or cause delays in accessing certain information, its primary goal is to safeguard your sensitive health data.