“He who holds the data, makes the rules”
You have a right to refuse to sign HIPAA forms, including the statement acknowledging your receipt of the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP). You have the right to refuse to sign the form even after they write “Refused” on it. The Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom is the authority on this issue and we recommend that you full read their page about HIPAA harms.
Why refuse HIPAA
Those who want to profit from the use of our health data have led us to believe that HIPAA protects us and our data. HIPAA does not protect data, it allows doctors and hospitals to SHARE health data with millions of business and government entities who profit from analyzing the data.
We are at the mercy of the government and big business as a result of HIPAA. If they are successful in the future in combining our health data with REAL ID, and with a unique patient identifier, we will lose more freedom. We must repeal HIPAA as well as REAL ID in Minnesota, and reject all advances regarding the implementation of a national unique patient identifier number. Ron Paul, and then Rand Paul have been holding the line against this for many years.
If you refuse to sign, does it help?
Yes, and no. “Refusing to sign or choosing to sign provides you with no privacy protection to the 2.2 million entities given access to your data through HIPAA (1996) and HITECH (2009).” – CCHF
“Refusing to sign the acknowledgement does not prevent a provider or plan from using or disclosing health information as HIPAA permits.”
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
“Signing HIPAA can be used against you if you ever declare that your privacy rights have been violated. If you sign, clinics or hospitals can use your signature to argue that you knew your private information could be shared by law without your consent.” – CCHF
Want proof that you have the right to refuse?
Proof #1: The Federal HIPAA Rule only requires a provider to make a “good faith effort” to obtain the patient’s signature on the HIPAA form – 45 CFR 164.520(c)(2)(ii).
Proof #2: The federal government (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) states that you have a right to refuse: “If you refuse to sign the acknowledgement, the provider must keep a record of this fact.“
Proof #3: HHS gives directions to facilities on how to respond when a patient refuses to sign HIPAA forms.
Have you been bullied or denied care?
Some health care providers are ignorant that you have the right to refuse to sign HIPAA, and they may deny you care if you don’t sign. If they do so, they are in violation of your HIPAA rights. If you are denied service, or are bullied, share your story.