Health Care Privacy
Committed to ensuring the privacy and security of health care information.
Due to the types of information collected by our health care services on campus, we are subject to various privacy and security rules.
HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The primary goal of the law is to make it easier for people to keep health insurance, protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information and help the healthcare industry control administrative costs.
HIPAA applies to the Protected Health Information of non-students receiving services from one of our covered units.
NYS Privacy Laws
State privacy laws preempt HIPAA when they are more stringent then federal law.
The State Department of Health developed a chart of state law preemptions.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also known as the Buckley Amendment is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records.
FERPA applies to the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of students. A student’s health records, including immunization information and other records maintained by the campus, are considered part of the student’s education record and are protected from disclosure under FERPA.
HIPAA vs FERPA
Learn more about who must comply, what information is protected, and permitted disclosures for HIPAA and FERPA.
Health and Human Services and the Department of Education have issued joint guidance on this topic to explain the relationship and expand prior guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Care Privacy
- What law protects my health records at the Student Health and Counseling Center?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also known as the Buckley Amendment is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records.
A student’s health records, including immunization information and other records maintained by the campus, are considered part of the student’s education record and are protected from disclosure under FERPA.
- What NYS laws preempt HIPAA?
- I have a release for records, but I have been asked to complete a second release form?