This may include tests for blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These screenings usually are done in health fairs, shopping malls, and other nonmedical settings. There is no federal law to protect the confidentiality of medical records. With the approach of health care reform and the increased computerization of patients' records, this is a growing concern. Families USA Foundation maintain that health plans should ensure the confidentiality of member or patient information.
Few exceptions exist.
These confidentiality provisions ensure that specific individual medical information is not distributed. As a consumer, you need to be aware of the harmful risks should your medical information be misused. When you visit your doctor, be sure you disclose only information that is relevant to your health. If you want a specific health condition to be held confidential between you and your physician, take a written request to your doctor that cancels your consent to release medical information to the insurance company or to your employer for that particular visit. In addition, you should pay for the visit yourself instead of getting a reimbursement from your insurance company to make sure the information is confidential.