Most of us feel that our health and medical information is private and should be protected, and we want to know who has this information. Federal law:

Gives you privacy rights over your health information. Sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. These rights are important for you to know. You can exercise these rights, ask questions about them, and file a complaint if you think your rights are being denied or your health information isn't being protected.

You can learn more about health information privacy and your rights in a fact sheet called "Your Health Information Privacy Rights."

You can get this from the U.S. government's Health and Human Services Web site at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/. You can also call 1-866-627-7748; the phone call is free.