Patient Privacy Rights

The regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protect the privacy and security of individuals’ identifiable health information and establish an array of individual rights with respect to health information, including:

1. Right to receive notification of UC San Diego Health’s privacy practices;
2. Right to inspect and obtain a copy of the health information that UCSDH maintains about them;
3. Right to request an amendment to their medical record;
4. Right to an accounting of UC San Diego Health’s disclosure(s) of their health information;
5. Right to request a restriction on the use or disclosure of their health information;
6. Right to request a restriction on the method by which UC San Diego Health communicates with them.

Notice of Privacy Practices

In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), UC San Diego is required by law to inform patients of their privacy rights and the ways in which health information may be used and disclosed at UC San Diego Health. The UC San Diego Health Notice of Privacy Practices describes how medical information may be used and disclosed and how to get access to this information.

If you have any questions about this Notice or if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact Patient Experience. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Patient Experience
200 West Arbor Drive, Mail Code 8916
San Diego, CA 92103-8916
619-543-5678
619-543-6817 (fax)

Email: welisten@ucsd.edu

Right to Inspect and Obtain PHI

Patients have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of their health information. There are certain exceptions to this right, such as the type of information that can be accessed. To access and/or obtain a copy of your health information please contact the appropriate Medical Records Department of the UC San Diego Health hospital or clinic or  visit the Health Information Management website: HIM (medical records) or locations.

Medical Records Locations:

• UC San Diego Medical Center – Hillcrest 
  Suite 115 (1st floor next to Cashier's Office)
  200 W. Arbor Drive
  San Diego, CA 92103
  Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  *Walk-in service available 
  
  
• UC San Diego Health Business Office
  6200 Greenwich Drive
  San Diego, CA
  Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  * Walk-in service available. Free guest parking spaces are available. 

Right to Request an Amendment to Your Medical Record

Patients who feel that the information in their UCSDH medical record is inaccurate have the right to request that UCSDH amend their information. This request can be denied for certain reasons. To request an amendment from UCSD Health, visit: HIM website (Health Information Management)

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

Patients have the right to request an accounting of disclosures of their health information during the previous six year period. Certain disclosures – such as those made pursuant to the patient’s authorization and those made for treatment, payment, or operations purposes – are exempted from this accounting. To request an accounting of disclosures from UCSD Health, visit: HIM  website (Health Information Management).

Right to Request a Restriction on the Use or Disclosure of PHI

Patients have a right to request that their health information not be used or disclosed for certain treatment, payment, or operations. However, unless the health information pertains solely to an item or service for which the patient paid fully out-of-pocket, UCSD is not required to agree to the request. Additionally, UCSD does not have to agree to requests for restrictions on disclosures for treatment purposes even if the PHI pertains solely to a fully out-of-pocket paid item or service. For instructions on how to request a restriction on the use or disclosure of your health information, visit: HIM website (Health Information Management).

Right to Request a Restriction on the Manner and Method of Confidential Communication

Patients have the right to request that UCSD send confidential communications to them in a specific method and manner. UCSD will accommodate reasonable requests based on administrative ability to comply. For instructions on how to request a restriction on UCSF Health’s communication, visit: Notice of Privacy Practices.