Your Rights
Below is a summary of your rights as a patient at MIT Medical. The complete document is available at http://web.mit.edu/medical/pdf/patientrights.pdf.
As an MIT Medical patient you have the right to:
- be informed about and participate in decisions about your care, including informed consent to the extent provided by law
- a clear explanation of all treatment options and their pros and cons
- include your family in discussions about your care, if you so choose
- confidentiality of all communications and records to the extent provided by law
- inspect your medical records and to receive a copy
- a private and secure treatment area, within the capacity of MIT Medical to provide it
- a clear explanation of the costs of your treatment
- care that is considerate and respectful of your personal values and beliefs
Your Privacy
Below is a summary of MIT Medical's privacy policy. The complete document is available at http://web.mit.edu/medical/pdf/mitmedprivacy.pdf.
Federal law in the form of HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects the privacy of your health information, which includes any information that could be used to identify you or that relates to your health condition, health care, or payment for health care. MIT Medical employees must adhere to HIPAA and to MIT Medical's own privacy policy, which provides for strict protection of your health information. Your health information may be used on a need to know basis for treatment, billing, and MIT Medical's internal operations such as quality assurance and training. There are other times when MIT Medical must or is allowed to disclose health information without your permission, e.g. for law enforcement purposes, in the event of your death, tracking diseases, national security, to friends/family members involved in your care or payment for your care, and to send appointment reminders or recommend alternate treatment.
According to MIT Medical policy, "MIT students are not considered minors, regardless of age." Your parents or family members are not involved in your medical care unless you want them to be or they have to be, such as when you have a life-threatening medical condition or a condition that renders you unable to make decisions about your own health care.
How do I get a copy of my medical record?
People usually ask for a copy of their medical records when they seek care elsewhere - at home or on graduation. To get a copy of your medical records, you must complete and sign the form Authorization for Disclosure of Patient Health Care and Information and then fax or mail it to the Medical Records service as instructed on the form. Following review of your request, copies of your record will be mailed to you within 30 days. Please be advised that there may be a fee for release of medical record.
If you just need a copy of your immunizations, let the medical records staff know that.
You generally do not need to get a printed copy of your whole medical record if you:
- need a note to get out of class - go to Student Support Services
- want your parents to be involved in your care decisions
- are traveling overseas and need a copy of your shots
I'm not satisfied with care I received from MIT Medical, or I have concerns about my care. What can I do?
Whenever possibly, speak directly with the people involved in your care. If you want to speak to a third party about the issue, contact a patient advocate by calling x3-4976, emailing advocate@med.mit.edu, or walking into the patient advocate office on the 4 th floor of E23.
What's a patient advocate do?
If you have concerns about your care at MIT Medical, a patient advocate will listen to them and help you explore possible ways of resolving the issue. Patient advocates also gather valuable feedback that helps MIT Medical improve its patient services. Any interactions with patient advocates are protected by the same confidentiality rules that protect your medical records and appointments.
Who hears about it when I contact a patient advocate?
Your interaction with a patient advocate is confidential. In terms of privacy, it is treated just like an appointment with a physician.
What happens if I get drunk/high and have to go to the hospital? Do the police or my parents find out?
No one will call your parents unless the condition is very serious and/or you're incapable of making decisions regarding your care. Even if the campus police show up, they are generally more concerned about your health than about putting you in jail. A hospital visit will, however, show up on a billing statement. Refer to the CDSA's Alcohol Q&A http://web.mit.edu/cdsa/alcoholQA.htm for answers to further questions about alcohol and substance-abuse related issues.
If I use MIT mental health services, will my future employer have access to those records?
Not unless you request a copy and give it to them, or sign a release allowing them to access your records. Mental Health records are kept entirely separate from other Medical records , and cannot be released unless you give your permission or their release is required by law (e.g. they have been subpoenaed). Agencies that perform security checks for employment purposes are less interested in the details of your medical record than in your clinician's overall opinion on whether or not you're a risk to security. They must also have a signed release from you to perform such inquiries.
Do my parents or teachers find out if I'm sick?
Medical staff will not contact your family unless your condition is life-threatening or such that you are incapable of making your own health care decisions. If you are ill enough to require hospitalization, the dean on call may be told only that you are not a missing person (to prevent people from sending the police looking for you in ditches on the side of the road). If you need to make adjustments to your academic workload for medical reasons, you should consult Counseling and Support Services.
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