How can I keep my health information private?
Most of your health information is protected by federal and state laws. This type of data is called Protected Health Information. However, there is also health information that is not covered by these laws. Think about information that is collected through your Fitbit, information about your health that you google online, or that you receive through DNA kits like 23andMe or Ancestry.com.
Some general guidelines:
- Be mindful of who you provide your health information to.
- You can request access to your Protected Health Information from your healthcare provider.
- You can file a complaint with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) if you think your medical information was not used or shared in a legal way. To do so, click here.
Use the below security protections when dealing with your medical information:
