Health

Your health information is among the most sensitive data collected about you. Medical records, genetic tests, and mental health information reveal details that require strong privacy protections. You may also generate health data in ways that are equally revealing but completely unprotected under the law.

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Your Health, Your Information, Your Rights

Health privacy means more than simply safeguarding medical records. It involves your right to actively decide how your health data is collected, shared, and used—whether within traditional healthcare systems or through emerging technologies. Understanding your protections under federal laws like HIPAA and recognizing where gaps remain can help you manage your personal health information.

Below, we’ve answered key questions about your health privacy rights and provided actionable resources to help you navigate these complex issues.

What You Need to Know

Under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), your health information is protected but can be accessed by healthcare providers, insurers, and certain business associates for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations without your explicit consent.

However, HIPAA doesn’t cover all entities that might collect health data, such as health apps or certain wellness programs, leaving some gaps. It can be helpful to review privacy notices and consent forms and ask questions to understand who has access to your health information and why.

Under HIPAA, you have significant rights to limit how your healthcare information is shared beyond direct treatment, payment, and operations purposes. Providers must give you a privacy notice detailing their data-sharing practices, and you can request restrictions on certain disclosures. You may also request that your information not be disclosed to health plans if you pay fully out-of-pocket.

For entities typically not covered by HIPAA—like wellness apps and fitness trackers—protections vary significantly, and your rights depend heavily on each company's policies or the state in which you reside.

You have the right to ask your healthcare providers about their privacy practices and how your medical data is secured. Regularly reviewing healthcare statements and records helps you detect unauthorized or inaccurate entries quickly. Federal law requires providers and insurers to promptly respond to requests for corrections and limit information sharing to what’s strictly necessary.

Additionally, understanding your rights under HIPAA to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can empower you to act swiftly if your privacy is compromised.

Generally, yes. While HIPAA protects data handled by healthcare providers and insurers, it does not cover many wearable devices or health apps. These products often operate under separate privacy policies and may share your data broadly unless you explicitly opt out.

Review the privacy policies of health apps carefully, adjust privacy settings, and limit data permissions wherever possible to protect your sensitive information.

It depends. In California, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides a private right of action if sensitive personal information—like medical records, health insurance details, or genetic data—is exposed due to a business’s inadequate security practices. You may sue individually or as part of a class to seek damages, potentially up to $750 per incident, without proving actual financial loss.

Outside of California, protections vary significantly by state, with many lacking clear private rights of action for breaches. Check your state's specific data breach laws or consult with a consumer attorney to understand your rights.

File a complaint with the US Dept of Health and Human Services