Right to File a Complaint

The patient has the right to file a complaint if he or she believes privacy rights were violated*

  • Individual within the organization
  • The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services

Organizations must provide contact information for filing a complaint

If the patient feels that his or her privacy rights were violated or are concerned about how their information was handled, there needs to be a mechanism to file a complaint. Each health care organization should have a method to receive a complaint about privacy issues. The patient also has the right to file a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington DC. Providers and payers must provide their patients with contact information for filing a complaint within their organization and contact information for filing a complaint with the Secretary of the DHHS.

You can view the Complaint Log Form.

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