Campaign Overview

Protecting the privacy of patients has been an important part of a physicians code of conduct since the Hippocratic Oath of 400 B.C. Recently, employers, insurers, government administrators, attorneys, and others not subject to medical ethics codes have come to use this information.

Today, patient consent is not required for disclosure of personal medical information by covered entities in connection with medical treatment, payment, or health care operations. Digitization of medical records create greater opportunities for theft, misuse, and sale of personal health information.

Attempts to digitize medical records are well intentioned, as they make accessing medical records easier for the owner. The downside is that it also makes access much easier for third parties.