Laws and Protections
There are many local, state and federal laws that regulate the way that your healthcare is provided to you.
You may have already heard of laws such as HIPAA, and there are others, less known, which safeguard your access to medical care.
It’s important to be aware of the fact that there are laws, procedures and regulations built into our healthcare system that exist to protect your privacy and your wherewithal to have access to critical health and medical services, as well as supervise your interactions with healthcare providers, employers and more. These safeguards exist regardless of other factors such as your income, whether or not you have insurance, or your status of citizenship.
To be an empowered patient, it’s vital that you have a good understanding of the legislation that can be an assistance to you and your healthcare needs. Even if you are not currently facing an illness, this segment is a good place to become familiar with our rights affecting our future, or to share what you have learned with a family member or friend.