Part 2: Basic Patient Rights (FAQ 14 of 65)

Right to a Notice of Privacy Practices

14. Why Are the Notices Long and Boring?

One answer is that the rule is long and complicated. Another answer is that lawyers write many of the notices. Often, lawyers write like...lawyers, and the results are sometimes complete, precise, and in the end, incomprehensible. Some privacy notices -- and not just notices for health -- are deliberately written to be obscure. Even other lawyers can't understand them. Not every organization really wants you to understand or exercise your privacy rights.

In the end, health privacy is a complex subject, and health records have quite a few uses and disclosures that you probably never thought about. All of these factors contribute to the length and complexity of the notices.

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