Heretofore, patients had to go through a doctor to access their own reports.  They were not allowed to get their own test results without paying a doctor as the go between.  Now this has changed.

This final rule amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule to provide individuals (or their personal representatives) with the right to access test reports directly from laboratories subject to HIPAA. The ability to access their health information, empowers them to take a more active role in managing their health and health care. Read act…