Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Protecting the Privacy of Your Health Information
Protecting the privacy of information about your medical conditions and health is a responsibility MeritCare has always taken very seriously. Beginning April 14, HIPAA -- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act -- put into effect new nationwide standardized privacy laws. These laws further ensure privacy by mandating how healthcare organizations may use and disclose patient information. MeritCare is fully complying with these new laws. What changes will you see?
First, you will be given the opportunity to read MeritCare's "Notice of Privacy Practices" which explains your rights under HIPAA. You will receive a copy of the "Notice of Privacy Practices" either through the mail or at your next visit to any MeritCare location. You will receive this document one time and will be asked to sign an acknowledgement of receipt to serve as a record that you have received it. You'll also find the Notice of Privacy Practices link below. You're welcome to print out the notice and acknowledgement form and bring it with you to your next appointment.
Notice of Privacy Practices 
Acknowledgement of Notice of Privacy Practices
Second, you may notice a change in the availability of information about the medical condition of another person. The "release of information" process has been reviewed and modified to comply with HIPAA requirements regarding third party access to confidential patient information. MeritCare will take any additional steps necessary to ensure a patient's information is released only to authorized parties.
Release of Information
For more information
If you still have questions about HIPAA, contact the MeritCare Privacy Officer toll free at (800) 600-8422 or e-mail
privacyoffice@meritcare.com.