Your right to privacy when visiting a health care provider:
Federal and state patient privacy laws protect your health information, and your health information generally cannot be released without your permission. There are exceptions. For example, your protected health information can be disclosed without your consent by a health care provider:
- For purposes of treatment or payment
- If reporting is otherwise required by state law (like reporting certain diseases to public health authorities, or child abuse reporting)
Youth under 18 have specific privacy and confidentially rights. More information can be found here.
While patient privacy laws apply to most health care organizations, including the clinics listed on the Where to Get an Abortion webpage, they do not apply to all persons or institutions that collect your personal health information. For example, some clinics, like crisis pregnancy centers, or apps, may not be subject to federal and state privacy laws depending on whether they transmit any health information electronically.
Health insurance and privacy:
Some of your medical information is also shared with your insurance provider. Under Oregon law, you have the right to have your insurance plan send protected health information directly to you instead of to the person who pays for your health insurance plan. People of any age, including youth, can make this request. For more information on this law and how to request protected health information, visit Oregon’s Department of Financial Regulation’s
Patient right to privacy.
Make sure you talk to your health care provider about your privacy concerns.