From the Office of Civil Rights YouTube page: "Health information is powerful medicine. Having access to your health records is a powerful tool in managing your care. This video will help you learn more about how HIPAA gives you rights to your health information."

Visit http://www.hhs.gov/ocr to learn more.

From the Office of Civil Rights YouTube page: Watch this video to learn about the HIPAA Privacy Rule, a law that protects patients' rights and health information rights. For more information please visit http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/.

Whether health information is stored on paper or electronically, patients have the right to keep it private. They also have the right to get a copy of their records, to request to make a change to those records, and to know how that information is used and shared.

From the Federal Trade Commission website: A thief may use your name or health insurance numbers to see a doctor, get prescription drugs, file claims with your insurance provider, or get other care. If the thief’s health information is mixed with yours, your treatment, insurance and payment records, and credit report may be affected.

If you see signs of medical identity theft, order copies of your records and check for mistakes. You have the right to see your records and have mistakes corrected.