Complete Guide to Medical Records Privacy in 2026

Medical Privacy Matters

Your health information is deeply personal and increasingly digital. Medical data breaches can expose conditions, treatments, and other sensitive details.

What Medical Privacy Covers

• Diagnoses and conditions
• Prescription history
• Treatment records
• Lab results
• Mental health records
• Genetic information
• Insurance claims

Your HIPAA Rights

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act gives you:

Right to Access

• Request your medical records
• Get copies within 30 days
• Electronic format available

Right to Amend

• Correct inaccurate information
• Add clarifications

Right to Restrict

• Limit certain disclosures
• Request confidential communications

Right to Accounting

• See who accessed your records
• Track disclosures

Protecting Your Medical Data

Healthcare Provider Security

• Use patient portals securely
• Verify before sharing information
• Ask about data practices
• Review access logs

Health Apps and Wearables

Risks

• Many aren't covered by HIPAA
• Data may be sold to third parties
• Breaches are common

Protection

• Read privacy policies
• Limit data sharing
• Delete unused apps
• Consider what you share

Genetic Data Privacy

DNA testing companies vary in privacy:

• Research sharing options
• Law enforcement requests
• Data storage policies

Carefully review before testing.

Medical Identity Theft

Criminals use stolen medical info to:

• Get treatment in your name
• Fill prescriptions
• Submit false insurance claims
• Obtain medical equipment

Warning Signs

• Bills for services you didn't receive
• Collection calls for unknown debts
• Insurance denials for conditions you don't have
• Errors in medical records

Protection

• Review Explanation of Benefits
• Check medical records regularly
• Monitor credit for medical debts

Medical Data and Data Brokers

Some data brokers collect health-related information:

• Prescription data
• Health conditions (inferred)
• Wellness purchases
• Fitness app data

GhostMyData helps remove your data from these collectors.

Protect your medical privacy with a free scan.