Henry County Medical Center Explains Your Health Information Privacy Rights

Paris, TN – Keeping your health information private and protected is not only the goal of Henry County Medical Center, but it is federal law with set rules about who can look at and receive your health information.  This law, called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) gives you rights over your health information.  You hold the key to your health information and how it is distributed. Your health information includes information about your symptoms, test results, diagnosis, treatment, and related medical information. Your health information also includes payment, billing, and insurance information.

You can ask to see or receive a copy of your medical record and other health information in writing or in person. The business hours of the Health Information Management (HIM) Department (Medical Records) are Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM excluding certain observed holidays. If you have access to the Patient Portal through either HCMC or the HCMC Provider Practices, you can get some information. For a full record, you must request in person or in writing to the location you would like the records from and we will provide you copies by law within 10 business days. Please call Ragan Wood in the HIM Department at 731-644-8564 with any questions you may have regarding access and use of the FollowMyHealth Patient Portal.

Henry County Medical Center is diligent in following all regulations and laws associated with your medical records and health information.  For this reason we do not release your information unless specifically requested by you or unless it meets one of the specific reasons of reporting information for state and federal mandates. You are welcome to access your health information and provide it to those who you want to share it with including physicians, family members, or other parties.

“To serve our community is our mission.  To provide this service with integrity, trust, respect, patient-centered care, excellence, and professionalism is what we strive to do.  We must uphold our commitment of confidentiality of your information,” said Lisa Casteel, CEO at HCMC.  “Our services for requesting your information are patient friendly.  We are glad to release any information you request and we are also glad to maintain confidential any information you request.  It is our goal to meet your needs and requests.”

As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Ask to see and/or obtain a copy of your health records.
  • Request that corrections be added to your health information.
  • Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information if appropriate.
  • Confidential communications at your request to receive a notice that tells you how your health information may be used and shared.
  • Decide if you want to give your permission before your health information can be used or shared for certain purposes, such as for marketing.
  • Get a report on when and why your health information was shared for certain purposes other than treatment, payment, or operations.

 

If you have concerns, please contact 731-644-8562.

To learn more about access your health information, contact Health Information Management:

  • Release of Information, Hospital – 731-644-8432
  • Release of Information, Clinics/Home Health – 731-644-8995

About Henry County Medical Center

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and 7 other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.