Are blood tests confidential from parents???
runlikethewind7
Posts: 15
I had some bloods done last month and obviously because I am on here lol my bloods aren't as good as they should be (if I was a healthy weight), now my dad is going to the docs tomorrow can they tell him my results without asking me??? It is embarrassing because I should be a healthy weight and I should have healthy bloods and I don't want anyone to know especially not my parents I am a very private person also in general so does patient confidentiality also apply with blood results for your parents or are they entitled to know because they have parental rights? Thanks in advance this is so embarrassing lol 
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I think it depends how old you are. If you're an adult I don't think they can tell your parents anything. I don't think it's the same story if you're still a minor. This is all just conjecture from me though.0
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I'm between 20 and 30 lol
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Then I think you're fine lol0
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Privacy laws state they may not release any medical information about you to anyone if you are of legal age.0
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Blood tests are protected health information assuming you are anywhere in the US.0
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Yep. They'll need a legal order signed by you to get any of that information. I had to get my husband to fill out such a form for him so I could pick up lab results on his behalf. You're safe.
But good luck getting your results to tip-top shape!0 -
They cannot get the results unless there is paperwork on file saying it is okay.
One thing you will want to watch out for is if the parent is the primary policy holder, and you are under their insurance. They can most likely see where you go if a claim is submitted.
So if you are getting a blood test or medical procedures of a sensitive variety (like STI or pregnancy tests), it may be in your best interest to find one that will allow you to pay cash on a sliding scale, or not use insurance.0 -
If you're not a minor, then you're fine. HIPAA rules here.
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Technically, they cannot. But if your parents go to court and the court determines that you cannot act in your own best interest (which it will if your parents and doctors say that you're starving yourself and will die without intervention), they can admit you and force-feed you without your consent.
If you let this go long enough to get yourself hospitalized, odds are pretty good that your parents will take you to court before they'll watch you die. Parents are like that.
You should do whatever those doctors tell you to do. You don't want to end up tied down to a bed with a tube running up your nose and down your throat.
If you're having problems with eating,tell the doctor! He can refer you to people who can help you!
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runlikethewind7 wrote: »I'm between 20 and 30 lol
Nope. Your medical information cannot be released to anyone (parents included) unless you have given consent.0 -
runlikethewind7 wrote: »I had some bloods done last month and obviously because I am on here lol my bloods aren't as good as they should be (if I was a healthy weight), now my dad is going to the docs tomorrow can they tell him my results without asking me??? It is embarrassing because I should be a healthy weight and I should have healthy bloods and I don't want anyone to know especially not my parents I am a very private person also in general so does patient confidentiality also apply with blood results for your parents or are they entitled to know because they have parental rights? Thanks in advance this is so embarrassing lol
Are you in the USA?
If you are, I think the HIPAA law protects you and your parents can't access your private medical information.0 -
missiontofitness wrote: »They cannot get the results unless there is paperwork on file saying it is okay.
One thing you will want to watch out for is if the parent is the primary policy holder, and you are under their insurance. They can most likely see where you go if a claim is submitted.
So if you are getting a blood test or medical procedures of a sensitive variety (like STI or pregnancy tests), it may be in your best interest to find one that will allow you to pay cash on a sliding scale, or not use insurance.
This is true. OP, if you are under your parents insurance, they will be able to see any lab work and medical procedures you have done. They will not however, be able to see the results.0 -
FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »missiontofitness wrote: »They cannot get the results unless there is paperwork on file saying it is okay.
One thing you will want to watch out for is if the parent is the primary policy holder, and you are under their insurance. They can most likely see where you go if a claim is submitted.
So if you are getting a blood test or medical procedures of a sensitive variety (like STI or pregnancy tests), it may be in your best interest to find one that will allow you to pay cash on a sliding scale, or not use insurance.
This is true. OP, if you are under your parents insurance, they will be able to see any lab work and medical procedures you have done. They will not however, be able to see the results.
Hmmm... I wouldn't trust doctors to keep those results private, even if they are supposed to. What if you have a previous consent form on file? Anyway, if you're living at home and asking your parents to pay for some sort of medical treatment (related to a bad blood test?), then they will likely find out anyway. When you move out and become financially independent, you'll have more privacy. For now, living with your parents and accepting their insurance, I'm thinking privacy would be tough. No matter what, I hope you get the support you need to work on improving your health. Good luck!0 -
Technically, they cannot. But if your parents go to court and the court determines that you cannot act in your own best interest (which it will if your parents and doctors say that you're starving yourself and will die without intervention), they can admit you and force-feed you without your consent.
If you let this go long enough to get yourself hospitalized, odds are pretty good that your parents will take you to court before they'll watch you die. Parents are like that.
You should do whatever those doctors tell you to do. You don't want to end up tied down to a bed with a tube running up your nose and down your throat.
If you're having problems with eating,tell the doctor! He can refer you to people who can help you!
I fail to see what any of this has to do with the OP? Where did they say they had an eating disorder?0 -
I would remind your doctor not to disclose your info to your parents. Some of them will automatically blab to mum and dad....0
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Technically, they cannot. But if your parents go to court and the court determines that you cannot act in your own best interest (which it will if your parents and doctors say that you're starving yourself and will die without intervention), they can admit you and force-feed you without your consent.
If you let this go long enough to get yourself hospitalized, odds are pretty good that your parents will take you to court before they'll watch you die. Parents are like that.
You should do whatever those doctors tell you to do. You don't want to end up tied down to a bed with a tube running up your nose and down your throat.
If you're having problems with eating,tell the doctor! He can refer you to people who can help you!
I fail to see what any of this has to do with the OP? Where did they say they had an eating disorder?
I think it was in response to the healthy weight comment. But the OP didn't clarify whether it was due to being over/underweight, or if it was due to an ED. Some people have weight issues (over and under) from stuff like PCOS or over/under active thyroids, which can be aided in diagnosis through a blood test.
So yeah...ED assumption is a bad one.
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If your parents are in the room with you, then the doctor will likely tell you results with them present. You would specifically have to say to your parents that you do not want them in the room with you. To permit them into the room with your physician is pretty much giving permission. My mom has come with me to many appointments (I'm 33), and never not once has any doctor refused to speak with me about what is going on be it lab work, or discussing my health history.
Now if my mom goes to the same doctor as I do, no they cannot discuss any of my health information without me present as she does not have permission. The only person I have given permission to in that regards is my husband. At least, that's how it works in the US due to HIPAA.
If they have a conservatorship over you, then they may have legal rights to the information.0 -
PrizePopple wrote: »If your parents are in the room with you, then the doctor will likely tell you results with them present. You would specifically have to say to your parents that you do not want them in the room with you. To permit them into the room with your physician is pretty much giving permission. My mom has come with me to many appointments (I'm 33), and never not once has any doctor refused to speak with me about what is going on be it lab work, or discussing my health history.
Now if my mom goes to the same doctor as I do, no they cannot discuss any of my health information without me present as she does not have permission. The only person I have given permission to in that regards is my husband. At least, that's how it works in the US due to HIPAA.
If they have a conservatorship over you, then they may have legal rights to the information.
A+ explanation.
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You know, you're right. I assumed an ED. I guess I assumed it because the OP said she was embarrassed about having an unhealthy body weight and poor lab results and didn't want her parents to find out.Technically, they cannot. But if your parents go to court and the court determines that you cannot act in your own best interest (which it will if your parents and doctors say that you're starving yourself and will die without intervention), they can admit you and force-feed you without your consent.
If you let this go long enough to get yourself hospitalized, odds are pretty good that your parents will take you to court before they'll watch you die. Parents are like that.
You should do whatever those doctors tell you to do. You don't want to end up tied down to a bed with a tube running up your nose and down your throat.
If you're having problems with eating,tell the doctor! He can refer you to people who can help you!
I fail to see what any of this has to do with the OP? Where did they say they had an eating disorder?
I just assumed that a person who was overweight would not think their parents didn't know. Thinking you can hide your weight is just so typical of EDs.
I also assumed that the poor blood work came from being underweight instead of over because that would more often be the case for young women.
But she never said it. I just figured it to be the case.
I could've been wrong. She might be overweight.
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Sorry, I should clarify. I am not going with him, he is going for a separate issue himself. I am not under my parents insurance, I pay myself. Sadly yes, overweight. They aren't bad enough to medicate or anything, they aren't terrible they're just not that good. And yes, I realize I can't hide my weight lol and most of my family are overweight also. I just mean I don't want them knowing my bloods because as I said they aren't good enough and it's embarrassing
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PrizePopple wrote: »If your parents are in the room with you, then the doctor will likely tell you results with them present. You would specifically have to say to your parents that you do not want them in the room with you. To permit them into the room with your physician is pretty much giving permission. My mom has come with me to many appointments (I'm 33), and never not once has any doctor refused to speak with me about what is going on be it lab work, or discussing my health history.
Now if my mom goes to the same doctor as I do, no they cannot discuss any of my health information without me present as she does not have permission. The only person I have given permission to in that regards is my husband. At least, that's how it works in the US due to HIPAA.
If they have a conservatorship over you, then they may have legal rights to the information.
This is very helpful info.0 -
Sorry about reading things that weren't there! I made a bad assumption and ran with it. You might say I ran like the wind.runlikethewind7 wrote: »Sorry, I should clarify. I am not going with him, he is going for a separate issue himself. I am not under my parents insurance, I pay myself. Sadly yes, overweight. They aren't bad enough to medicate or anything, they aren't terrible they're just not that good. And yes, I realize I can't hide my weight lol and most of my family are overweight also. I just mean I don't want them knowing my bloods because as I said they aren't good enough and it's embarrassing
Mea culpa.
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Technically, current laws prohibit your doctor sharing your info without your permission. However, as has been pointed out, you may have given permission at some prior time, and the form may be on file. Or, if this is a longstanding family doctor, there could be an assumption that it's ok, because it was ok in the past when you were younger, and this is the dynamic he's used to when dealing with your family. If you're really concerned, give them a call and ask if you have a release on file, and make clear that you'd prefer that your results not be discussed with your family.0
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runlikethewind7 wrote: »Sorry, I should clarify. I am not going with him, he is going for a separate issue himself. I am not under my parents insurance, I pay myself. Sadly yes, overweight. They aren't bad enough to medicate or anything, they aren't terrible they're just not that good. And yes, I realize I can't hide my weight lol and most of my family are overweight also. I just mean I don't want them knowing my bloods because as I said they aren't good enough and it's embarrassing
If you're working on making it better there is no shame in it. My parents actually just called me today to let me know how their lab results were, and DH busted out his labs from a few months ago and handed them to me when I opened my online labs. :laugh: I'm hoping that my insulin levels are lower next time I see my endocrinologist so I can avoid being put on medication, and if I do I'm going to wear that accomplishment as a shining badge of honor. I just wish now that I had taken my health seriously many years ago, so good on you for taking care of yourself!0 -
Sorry about reading things that weren't there! I made a bad assumption and ran with it. You might say I ran like the wind.runlikethewind7 wrote: »Sorry, I should clarify. I am not going with him, he is going for a separate issue himself. I am not under my parents insurance, I pay myself. Sadly yes, overweight. They aren't bad enough to medicate or anything, they aren't terrible they're just not that good. And yes, I realize I can't hide my weight lol and most of my family are overweight also. I just mean I don't want them knowing my bloods because as I said they aren't good enough and it's embarrassing
Mea culpa.
Hahaha, it's ok :P0 -
runlikethewind7 wrote: »I had some bloods done last month and obviously because I am on here lol my bloods aren't as good as they should be (if I was a healthy weight), now my dad is going to the docs tomorrow can they tell him my results without asking me??? It is embarrassing because I should be a healthy weight and I should have healthy bloods and I don't want anyone to know especially not my parents I am a very private person also in general so does patient confidentiality also apply with blood results for your parents or are they entitled to know because they have parental rights? Thanks in advance this is so embarrassing lol
Your doctor will not say anything about you to your parents. They took an oath which would be unethical to break and illegal as well. No doctor who cares about his job would break it.
You will be ok.0 -
christinev297 wrote: »I would remind your doctor not to disclose your info to your parents. Some of them will automatically blab to mum and dad....
^^^^ this. I know for my son, everything has been kept private for him since he was 16. Any disclosure had to be given with his permission. He lives home with me and we live in Atlantic Canada.0 -
Hi.. I am sure most doctors are aware that they should not talk to a parent of an adult child about their health (even if the parent implies they may know about their child's health). There are two things you could do to ensure, for sure, that your details are kept more private. firstly make sure you only have your mobile tel.no.on your contact details and not your parents' home tel no. or the mobile telephone number of your parents. Secondly, you could change doctors but I am assuming you probably like where you are. Why don't you talk to your doctors and tell them your concerns. It could be that they just change your registration details so that you are not linked with eachother's registrations. This would make you alot more privately. Of course, if you are no longer at home anyway you probably already have your own registration no longer linked with the rest of your family. I hope that helps. x0
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ElizabethMaryam wrote: »christinev297 wrote: »I would remind your doctor not to disclose your info to your parents. Some of them will automatically blab to mum and dad....
^^^^ this. I know for my son, everything has been kept private for him since he was 16. Any disclosure had to be given with his permission. He lives home with me and we live in Atlantic Canada.
In the US I would assume it's 18 as that is the point in which they are legally considered adults. Unless the child has been emancipated prior to the age of 18 the parents are still fully responsible medically and otherwise. At 16 I don't think that a child is fully cognizant in regards to medical decisions. I'm not saying they should not be included, but for parents to have no access to their minor child's medical information is unacceptable. Then again, I don't think 18 year olds are much better in regards to their health. I know I wasn't, and that's biting me in the *kitten* now 15 years later. A solid lesson to teach to my own children for sure - your health is of the utmost importance.0 -
Nope, you're screwed now.0
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