How is this not a violation of HIPAA?

[X5379]

Been medically retired for 2 years now.

Usually if I need an ER I go to my local military hospital on base since there’s no copays and usually no long waits. Recently I needed stitches recently so I went there.

A few weeks later I saw the entire report from my visit there in my VA file. I absolutely, 100% never signed any authorization to release my records to them - in fact I explicitly tell them I’m not collecting VA disability because they always ask and frankly it’s none of their business.

Why are they allowed to send my personal, private medical records to the VA?

Signed,
Someone who will never again go to a military ER

 

[iamthewalrus016]

You would be shocked to learn about how your electronic health record is shared across many platforms.

 

[X5379]

You would be shocked to learn about how your electronic health record is shared across many platforms.

But, the military has its own electronic health system that isn’t part of any non-military health system and DEFINITELY not a part of the VA health system.

Someone had to have actively sent it over in order for it to be in my VA electronic health record.

Military treatment facilities are not part of the VA health system. Only the VA health system is a part of the VA health system.

 

[iamthewalrus016]

Nope it’s all linked together now. That’s the beauty of genesis.

It’s called the joint health information exchange… Google it

 

[X5379]

Nope it’s all linked together now. That’s the beauty of genesis.

Then why is only this one ER visit part of my VA health records and not prior ER visits I’ve had as a civilian? Oh and by the way, none of my civilian health records are in my VA health record either. If MTF’s were part of the VA system every visit I’ve had would be there.

May I summon you, @johnbgately ? Hope you’re doing well

 

[iamthewalrus016]

Jesus Christ man it’s all linked together. Civilian records and military. It’s all dependent on if the facility participates or not. Just don’t go to the doctor if you don’t want your health record documented electronically.

 

[X5379]

Jesus Christ man it’s all linked together. Civilian records and military. It’s all dependent on if the facility participates or not. Just don’t go to the doctor if you don’t want your health record documented electronically.

I appreciate your replies to my post. For me at least personally, none of my military or VA records are in my civilian electronic health record, and vice versa (except for this one ER report from a MTF which is in my VA record, but there are no other reports in my VA record outside the VA system.)

If it were something automatic, I’d expect to see all my MTF visits to be in my VA record (which isn’t the case).

 

[iamthewalrus016]

It is automatic with facilities that participate and if their server uploads when it should. That was the number factor for DHA to sundown AHLTA and bring in Genesis. Not all facilities participate and not all DOD facilities are using Genesis at this time. Not all VA facilities are using EHR’s and not all civilian facilities use EHR’s and even the facilities that do.. they may not have opted in to sharing information across the JHIE

 

[d001]

Since around 2022, most (not all) but for sure most of civilian medical records are shared with military medical records. Its done through Genesis.
This has actually been causing recruiting problems since the military now sees people's civilian medical records from when they were kids at MEPS

 

[X5379]

Since around 2022, most (not all) but for sure most of civilian medical records are shared with military medical records. Its done through Genesis.
This has actually been causing recruiting problems since the military now sees people's civilian medical records from when they were kids at MEPS

Not 1 of my civilian medical records exists within my military or VA records. And I’ve been to many different facilities in multiple states.

 

[iamthewalrus016]

The whole point of Genesis was to bring the military into the overall nationwide database of Electronic Health Records. In theory, a surgeon no longer need to ask you if you are allergic to whatever drug before you are heading into an emergency surgery after a car wreck as they pump you full of antibiotics. Also what d001 said... MEPS doctors no longer need to ask for health records for applicants as they just pull it ALL up in Genesis. You might wonder how I know about this... Well I was part of the implementation team for Genesis Navy/MC-wide along with being the SEA of a MEPS when we transitioned to Genesis. the doctors literally didn't have to request records for about 90 percent of applicants as they are all right there electronically. Some records are behind a wall that cannot be accessed by you in your patient portal.

Check out this site. Joint Health Information Exchange | TRICARE

Again not all facilities have opted in... also not all facilities upload regularly. I am thinking you are Navy or were... So you know about NSIPS and BOL. NSIPS should upload into BOL and vice versa regularly, along with many other system like the Master Personnel File the Navy uses... but they don't. Just because they are supposed to do it every week on the day of the week with the lowest bandwidth burden doesn't mean it always happens. At the end of the day you have people that are controlling when this information is moved from one place to another and people make mistakes. But I assure you... there is absolutely no HIPAA violation in your electronic health record moving across different systems as it is supposed to by law. If you don't want your records shared within the JHIE you must opt out in WRITING.