can parents view kids patient portal

by Mr. Dave Weber 4 min read

Once patients reach the age of consent, they can then assent their parents back onto the portal as a third-party viewer, allowing them whatever level of access the patient feels comfortable with. This process requires acknowledgement from both the patient and the provider, and can be revised at any time.Jan 13, 2017

Full Answer

Can I view another patient's information in the patient portal?

Using the patient portal to view another patient's information is called proxy access. Patient privacy is extremely important to us, so we have developed a policy around parents' and guardians' access to their child's patient portal that follows state and federal laws.

Can a patient portal be used for a parent?

Some healthcare providers, for example, might provide parents with access to the patient portal, but may be able to segregate certain information that is not accessible to the patient portal for that patient population, so that you know the parent is not going to be able to see certain services.

What can I See with proxy access to my child's account?

Here is a general breakdown of what parents or guardians can see with proxy access to their child's account: Limited access to information and functionality on the portal, which follows laws for patient confidentiality during this age range. Access includes: •Allergy list •Immunization records •Secure messaging to patient’s care team

Can a parent have access to medical records of a child?

Answer: Yes, the Privacy Rule generally allows a parent to have access to the medical records about his or her child, as his or her minor child’s personal representative when such access is not inconsistent with State or other law. There are three situations when the parent would not be the minor’s personal representative under the Privacy Rule.

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Are patient portals confidential?

Your Health Information Is Private, Secure, and Protected To make sure that your private health information is safe from unauthorized access, patient portals are hosted on a secure connection and accessed via an encrypted, password-protected logon.

Can parents withhold medical information from their child?

Under some circumstances, respect for patient autonomy can paradoxically support withholding medical information. If a patient expresses a desire not to know all or some medical information, then the physician should respect that decision and withhold that information [21, 22].

Can your doctor share your information with your parents?

HIPAA does permit doctors to disclose information to family when a patient is incapacitated or otherwise unable to consent to the disclosure. If you think your parent might be incapacitated by cognitive decline, delirium, or another medical problem, ask the doctor to consider this.

What information can be accessed through a patient portal?

A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as: Recent doctor visits. Discharge summaries.

Can a father access his child's medical records?

A child or young person with capacity has the legal right to access their own health records, and to allow or refuse* access by others, including their parents.

Do I have the right to access my child's medical records?

Children and young people who are able to make their own informed decisions have a legal right to access their own records, and can allow or prevent access by others, including their parents. Any parental access to a child's records must be in the child's best interests.

Can your parents see what you use your health insurance for?

Your insurance company may share information about your claims with your parents. Unfortunately, we have no control over the information disclosed by your insurance company. Please contact your insurance company to find out what information they will share with a parent or plan holder.

Can you share patient information with family?

Under HIPAA, your health care provider may share your information face-to-face, over the phone, or in writing. A health care provider or health plan may share relevant information if: You give your provider or plan permission to share the information. You are present and do not object to sharing the information.

Who can access my medical records without my permission?

Your medical records are confidential. Nobody else is allowed to see them unless they: Are a relevant healthcare professional.

What are the disadvantages of patient portals?

Even though they should improve communication, there are also disadvantages to patient portals....Table of ContentsGetting Patients to Opt-In.Security Concerns.User Confusion.Alienation and Health Disparities.Extra Work for the Provider.Conclusion.

Is a patient portal the same as a personal health record?

A patient portal is a type of personal health record (PHR) that is connected to an electronic health record (EHR) system. Patient portals provide a secure website through which patients can access their clinical data.

Why do patients not use patient portals?

The researchers found no demographic differences among nonusers who said that a technology hurdle, lack of internet access or no online medical record was the reason why they did not make use of a patient portal.

What is meaningful use stage 2?

In particular, meaningful use Stage 2 is pushing for healthcare providers to provide more immediate access, particularly the ability to view, download, and transmit information through what is normally expected to be some sort of patient portal.

Why does a healthcare provider sign up for a password?

The healthcare provider signs them up, creates an account, and assigns a password because they know the individual; they've checked the driver's license or some other proof of identification of the individual. The alternative can be remote authentication, where you first do identity-proofing remotely.

Is a patient portal a secure email?

So for example, the patient portal may also be a messaging portal where a secure e-mail is received by an individual. They receive an unsecure e-mail that just says they've got a message waiting for you at the patient portal. They log in [to portal] and see their information that way.

Is it a HIPAA violation to disclose medical information to parents?

Because some minors have the right not to disclose certain medical information, such as reproductive health services, to their parents, it could be a HIPAA violation to disclose the services to the parent, says Greene, a partner at the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine.

Can a parent access a minor's medical records?

Healthcare providers can choose to give parents access to the minor's records via a patient portal, but the providers should consider segregating certain information to make those confidential services inaccessible by the parent, Greene says.

Can minors have their parent's information?

You're going to have, under the law, some minors who have their parent or guardian as their personal representative under HIPAA who has the right to access their information . But, minors may be able to consent to certain services, such as reproductive health services, or substance abuse treatment.

Is there a regulation that requires a patient to have a copy of their medical records?

The other major regulation is HIPAA, in that there has been a longstanding obligation to provide patients with a copy of their medical and billing records, or certain other information in what is referred to as a "designated record set.".

What is proxy access?

Using the patient portal to view another patient's information is called proxy access. Patient privacy is extremely important to us, so we have developed a policy around parents' and guardians' access to their child's patient portal that follows state and federal laws. This means that you can see different amounts of information based on your ...

How long does it take to get a proxy account?

Proxy access usually takes three more days to verify, which allows time for the team to ensure only the right people are gaining access to health information.

How to contact the Health Information Management Department at UMich?

Get help with the patient portal. If you have questions about proxy access, you may e-mail us at HIM-PatientPortal@med.umich.edu, or you can call our Health Information Management Department at 734-615-0872 Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm.

When can a child share their medical records?

For many parents, it's hard to accept that their children are unable to share their medical records from ages 11-18. Often parents take the lead for their child’s health needs and their child may not have a desire for full control of their health care choices.

Can a patient give another adult access to their portal?

No automatic access to information, as the patient is now a legal adult. The patient can choose to give another adult, including their parents, proxy access to their portal. Read more about proxy access for adults .

What does it mean to be a parent's personal representative?

The HHS website that addresses frequently asked questions about HIPAA, a federal law, explains that a parent is general a child’s “personal representative,” which means access to records, but if a state law provides otherwise, the state law governs. If the state law is silent, “the licensed health care provider may exercise his or her professional ...

What age can I get access to my child's medical records?

The form states that, if you are the parent of a child between ages 12 and 17, “You will be granted partial access to your child’s record. (e.g., appointment scheduling, immunizations).”. Parents of kids 11 and younger, are permitted full access to their child’s medical records. I was surprised.

Can a licensed health care provider deny parental access to minors?

If the state law is silent, “the licensed health care provider may exercise his or her professional judgment to the extent allowed by law to grant or deny parental access to the minor’s medical information.”. In addition, a medical provider may choose not to treat a parent as a personal representative when the provider reasonably believes, ...

Can a medical provider treat a parent as a personal representative?

In addition, a medical provider may choose not to treat a parent as a personal representative when the provider reasonably believes, in his or her professional judgment, that the child has been or may be subjected to domestic violence, abuse or neglect, or that treating the parent as the child’s personal representative could endanger the child.

What is the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the HIPAA Privacy Rule “generally allows a parent to have access to the medical records about his or her child, as his or her minor child’s personal representative when such access is not inconsistent with state or other law.”.

Why is the UIHC rule warranted?

Moore upheld the essence of the UIHC’s current rule, saying one reason it’s warranted is that doctors want a child to be comfortable divulging whether they’re engaged in risky behavior, such as being sexually active, or using illegal drugs or alcohol.

What is the age limit for parents to be barred from their children's records?

Luke's Hospital in nearby Cedar Rapids have set the age where parents can be barred from their children’s records at 12, according to KCRG. Another Iowa hospital, Mercy in Dubuque, has the age at 18, ...

When was HIPAA enacted?

The law, enacted in 2002, derives from of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) passed by Congress in 1996. SUBSCRIBE to LifeSite's daily headlines. U.S. Canada World Catholic. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the HIPAA Privacy Rule “generally allows a parent to have access to ...

Does Iowa have parental rights?

An Iowa father is questioning hospital officials about their parental rights policy. CORALVILLE, Iowa, January 29, 2019 ( LifeSiteNews) — An Iowa father has been advised he no longer has access to his daughter’s medical records now that she has turned 12 years of age and the hospital policy – tied to federal law – has raised a red flag regarding ...

Does Iowa have access to medical records?

CORALVILLE, Iowa, January 29, 2019 ( LifeSiteNews) — An Iowa father has been advised he no longer has access to his daughter’s medical records now that she has turned 12 years of age and the hospital policy – tied to federal law – has raised a red flag regarding parental rights.

Can parents access their children's records?

As it stands right now, parents are still barred from access to most of their children’s records as of the child reaching age 12 even if the child consents to access. “Less information about visits, fewer options for messages,” Moore said, listing some things for the news station, “and the billing history, though, remains the same.”.

How often should parents check their portals?

Parents should start by checking the portals once a week (more if a child is struggling) and see how it goes, advises Hill, who studies parental involvement in education during adolescence. “But not on Friday,” she said. You don’t want “to brood over it over the weekend.”.

Can parents monitor kids' progress behind the scenes?

Hill says the portals can be empowering, especially for parents of adolescents. Parents can monitor kids’ progress behind the scenes, and not always have to ask to see the graded papers and tests.

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The Role of Patient Portals

Privacy Challenges with Patient Portals

  • How a practice handles parent portal access to adolescent patient medical information depends on whether the practice’s patient portal has the capacity to filter out data that becomes confidential when the child reaches 13 (or whatever age the state law designates). Practices without these capabilities will most likely need to deny parent portal ac...
See more on norcal-group.com

Authentication For Portal Use

Why only Passwords?

Minors' EHRs

Adult Caregivers

Other Methods of Access

  • MCGEE:What are the various ways that individuals can be credentialed and authenticated for accessing patient portals? GREENE:There are two stages here; the initial identity-proofing and the subsequent authentication every time someone logs into the patient portal. The identity-proofing normally happens either in-person or online. The in-person part could happen as part of the regis…
See more on healthcareinfosecurity.com

Biggest Emerging Threats

  • MCGEE:Why do you think most organizations that have a patient portals will go with the username and password only? GREENE:Difficulty and lack of demand. I think there is going to be a minority of patients who may want the more robust features of multi-factor authentication, and may want to feel confident that their information is not going to be accessible to others based on just the …
See more on healthcareinfosecurity.com