The Patient’s Guide to HIPAA: Access, Privacy, and Confidentiality

Have you ever signed a HIPAA form at the doctor’s office and wondered what you were actually agreeing to? In this episode, Melody Mulaik breaks down the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to demonstrate that it’s more than just paperwork; it’s a powerful tool for patient empowerment. 

From your right to access your own records to how you can dictate who sees your information, Melody explains how to navigate these protections to ensure your healthcare remains accurate, private, and within your control.

In this episode, Melody discusses:

• [00:00] Introduction: What is HIPAA and why does it matter to you? 
• [01:12] Your right to access and own copies of your medical and billing records
• [01:58] How to request changes or amendments to inaccurate medical information
• [02:40] Understanding the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) 
• [03:45] Requesting restrictions on how your information is shared 
• [04:44] Dictating your communication preferences and confidential contacts 
• [05:33] Withdrawing permission and managing third-party access 
• [06:30] Final recap of patient rights under HIPAA 

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. If you've ever signed a privacy form at the doctor's office and wondered what you were actually agreeing to or, if you've ever found an error in your medical records and didn't know you could fix it, this episode is a must-listen.