What action should a patient take if they believe their privacy rights have been violated?

If a patient believes their privacy rights have been violated, the appropriate action is to file a complaint with the covered entity or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This course of action is supported by the HIPAA regulations, which provide patients with specific rights regarding their health information and the mechanisms to address grievances.

Filing a complaint with the covered entity allows the healthcare provider or organization to investigate the issue within their establishment and take necessary corrective actions. If the patient feels that the response is inadequate or if they prefer not to address it directly with the entity, they have the right to escalate the matter to HHS, which oversees compliance with HIPAA regulations. This provides a structured and formal pathway for patients to express their concerns and seek resolution, ensuring that their rights to privacy are upheld and that there is accountability within the healthcare system.

Engaging friends and family about the issue lacks the formal process required to seek resolution, while simply deciding not to return to the provider bypasses the opportunity for redress and fails to inform the entity of potential violations. Consulting a lawyer could be an option, but it would typically involve legal complexities that may not be necessary as the complaint process established under HIPAA is specifically designed to handle these situations effectively