Are blood tests confidential from parents???
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No, not unless your parent i literally sitting in the room with you when they tell you the results, which I think is implied consent or something.0
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PrizePopple wrote: »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.
Actually there are a few exceptions to the "18" age rule. First being an emancipated minor like you said. Most states will also consider you an "adult" in regards to medicine if you are married or have given birth, regardless of age. Also most states have confidentiality laws regarding sexual health. Many states state that your medical record is private, even to legal guardians, if you are seeking medical treatment for a sexually transmitted disease or other sexual Heath (birth control, pre natal care, gyn exams etc).0 -
I don't think we should be entertaining the sub 18 crowd and their odd anxieties.0
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I don't think we should be entertaining the sub 18 crowd and their odd anxieties.
OP said she's between 20 and 30. I clearly come from an overly open family that is well steeped in the medical field. I was going to go to into the ER by myself .. hahahaha!! Nope. Endocrinologist appointment... my mom was like "I'm going with you, pick me up!" ... GI appointment "I'm going with you, pick me up!" ... And she's already made it obvious she's going to go to my surgeon consult too. Lucky for me she just sits there and listens, and it's kind of handy having her there to help me fill out my totally hosed family history. :laugh:0 -
PrizePopple wrote: »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.
Here, in New Brunswick, they consider the legal age of consent as 16, so they can refuse/accept treatment and are given the right of privacy (unless waived).
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http://www.legal-info-legale.nb.ca/en/uploads/file/pdfs/Patients_Rights_EN.pdf
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My son has given me rights of access to certain things; but to encourage his independence I'm glad he keeps some things private. So for the OP, unless there is an assumed level of approved disclosure (if disclosure has been ongoing in the past with no objection), the dr may assume the approval is ongoing, unless advised otherwise. For example, my mother was just diagnosed with cancer and during my last appointment, the dr recommended that in light of my mothers diagnosis (which had just happened) that I not consider travelling outside of the country to visit other family until my mothers health is stable (finished chemo/radiation/etc). I did convey what the dr said to my mother. My mother may decide she does not want the dr to discuss her medical issues with me in the future ... so my mum would need to convey this to the dr (to withdraw her consent). FYI0 -
You're over 20 years old, so you should be safe.0
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IF you are over 18 in the US, it's utterly illegal for them to tell your father, and you can get the practicioner's medical license yanked for doing it.
Depending on the state, even teenagers have to give permission.0 -
runlikethewind7 wrote: »I'm between 20 and 30 lol
You should be fine. My adult daughter and I see the same doctor, and I am told nothing about her medical care.
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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
You will be fine!
They can't tell him anything. 0 -
No but you should tell your parents so that they can do the insurance part (unless you are not using insurance). They will not be mad about your blood test. They'll be happy that you're taking the initiative to address and improve your health, so tell them!0
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Unless you have a mental disability which renders you in the custody of your parents or you have been deemed incompetent to care for yourself, if you are an adult your medical records are your own business0
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I believe it is against the law to share some information (ex: a 16 year old girl that decides to get an abortion)...if you are over the age of 18, the information cannot be shared without your consent... Doctor/patient confidentiality. Regardless of relationship0
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If you are over 18 they are not allowed to give out your medical information to anyone else they have privacy/confidentiality laws.0
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ElizabethMaryam wrote: »Here, in New Brunswick, they consider the legal age of consent as 16, so they can refuse/accept treatment and are given the right of privacy (unless waived).
Ontario also. At age 16 I had to sign consent for my own emergency back surgery because my father just dropped me off at the hospital and went home.
I think, being over 21, the OP's medical privacy is safe in most countries.
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runlikethewind7 wrote: »
That changes everything. Call your doctor and ask or look up privacy laws in your country.0 -
I believe all the G8 countries, all of Europe will have privacy laws regarding health information.0
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runlikethewind7 wrote: »
That changes everything. Call your doctor and ask or look up privacy laws in your country.
The Hippocratic Oath is taken by doctors all over the world. His doctor isn't going to say anything to the OP's parents without consent.0 -
uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »runlikethewind7 wrote: »
That changes everything. Call your doctor and ask or look up privacy laws in your country.
The Hippocratic Oath is taken by doctors all over the world. His doctor isn't going to say anything to the OP's parents without consent.
I'll take your word for it. But if that's all it takes to protect patient privacy than HIPPA would not be necessary. I had to learn about HIPPA when I worked at a grocery store that had a pharmacy. Doctors are not the only way somebody can get your medical information. I seem to recall that the cases that were used in support of HIPPA involved people getting information from administrative support staff - and they don't take the Hippocratic Oath.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!
We update this annually at the practice I work for and even if I had it on file, for an adult child, I would call and confirm. It's simply not worth my job to disclose your info.
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runlikethewind7 wrote: »
Changes everything; you need to look up the rules for your country. Judging by your slang, I feel like you are in the UK. If so, look up the privacy laws for the NHS.
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I would call your doctor and be sure to talk to someone about your privacy making sure that when you started going that you never signed a medical info release form and if so you would like to remove it.0
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uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »runlikethewind7 wrote: »
That changes everything. Call your doctor and ask or look up privacy laws in your country.
The Hippocratic Oath is taken by doctors all over the world. His doctor isn't going to say anything to the OP's parents without consent.
I'll take your word for it. But if that's all it takes to protect patient privacy than HIPPA would not be necessary. I had to learn about HIPPA when I worked at a grocery store that had a pharmacy. Doctors are not the only way somebody can get your medical information. I seem to recall that the cases that were used in support of HIPPA involved people getting information from administrative support staff - and they don't take the Hippocratic Oath.
The Hippocratic Oath isn't a legal thing, it is an ethical thing and doctors take it very seriously. The legal stuff is more for other staff (receptionists) who have access to your medical information. They are the ones who are more likely to talk about you than your doctor.
Really. Your doctor will not say a word.
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Hippocratic Oath has nothing to do with privacy, it's about "doing no harm," etc., and the wording varies from country to country.
Some countries don't have privacy laws the way we're used to in the U.S. or Europe in the interest of "protecting" the patient. For example, if your elderly father has a slow-growing cancer, it might be considered more humane not to let him know since it would cause him unnecessary worry and he'd probably die of something else anyway. These sorts of attitudes existed in the States not long ago...0 -
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0somuchbetter0 wrote: »Hippocratic Oath has nothing to do with privacy, it's about "doing no harm," etc., and the wording varies from country to country.
Some countries don't have privacy laws the way we're used to in the U.S. or Europe in the interest of "protecting" the patient. For example, if your elderly father has a slow-growing cancer, it might be considered more humane not to let him know since it would cause him unnecessary worry and he'd probably die of something else anyway. These sorts of attitudes existed in the States not long ago...
HIPPA does have to do with privacy. Any hospital I've worked for strongly enforced it and the health care system I work for now and for the past 7 years is no different. It's protects sensitive patient information. I can't just walk into the ER with my patient and start telling the janitor what is wrong with that patient. Not only can I lose my job but after its reported to the state I can lose my license.
Also, HIPAA is a law. So if you violate it the repercussions could be great.
Hippocratic Oath and HIPPA are two very different things. And HIPPA doe not apply to other countries...0 -
HIPPA has nothing to do with the Hippocratic Oath. HIPPA made it easier for information to be shared, not harder. People weren't supposed to be blabbing and looking up things that were none of their business before HIPPA came along, lol. Doctors were keeping confidences long before HIPPA showed up.
The Hippocratic Oath is not taken by all doctors, is not what most lay people think it is and is not legally binding.0
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