FAQ: Patient Rights and Privacy
Will my visit be kept confidential?
MIT Medical employees must adhere to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and to MIT Medical's own privacy policy, which provides for strict protection of your health information.
How can I get a copy of my medical record?
To get a copy of your medical record, you must complete and sign the Authorization for Disclosure of Patient Health Care and Information form and fax or mail it to the Medical Records Service as instructed on the form. Copies of your record will be sent via FedEx within 2 to 3 weeks. There may be a fee for release of your medical record. Please read the instructions on the form.
If you only need a copy of your immunization records, let the medical records staff know.
You generally do not need to get a printed copy of your entire medical record if you:
- Need to be excused from a class for exam because of illness. In such cases, visit Student Support Services, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 5-104, or call them at 617-253-4861.
- Want your parents to be involved in your care decisions.
- Are traveling overseas and need a copy of your immunization record.
What can I do if I'm not satisfied with care I received from MIT Medical or have concerns about my care?
Whenever possible, speak directly with the people involved in your care. If you prefer to speak with a third party, contact the patient relations coordinator at 617-253-4976 or advocate@med.mit.edu. You will be contacted within one business day of your call or email for a follow-up conversation.
What is the patient relations coordinator?
The patient relations coordinator helps patients resolve concerns about their care at MIT Medical. The patient relations coordinator will listen to any concerns you have and help you explore possible resolutions. Your interactions with the patient relations coordinator are protected by the same confidentiality rules that protect your medical record and clinical appointments.
Who is informed when I contact the patient relations coordinator?
Your interaction with the patient relations coordinator is confidential. In terms of privacy, it is treated just like an appointment with a care provider
I’m an MIT undergraduate. What happens if I get drunk or high and have to go to the hospital? Will the police or my parents find out?
No. No one will call your parents unless your condition is very serious or unless 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 an insurance billing statement.
If I use MIT Medical’s mental health services, will my current or future employers have access to those records?
No. Not unless you request a copy and give it to them, or sign a release allowing them to access your record. Mental health records are kept separate from other medical records and cannot be released unless you give your permission or the law requires their release (e.g., if they have been subpoenaed). For more information, see “Confidentiality, Medical Records, and Employment.”
Will my parents or teachers find out if I’m sick or in the hospital?
No. MIT Medical will not contact your family unless your condition is life-threatening or unless you’re 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 to look for you). If you need to make adjustments to your academic workload for medical reasons, contact Counseling and Support Services.
