What is it?
The Health Information Privacy and Management Act (HIPMA) is a new law in Yukon designed to improve the way that your privacy is protected when you seek healthcare services in Yukon. HIPMA allows for people to have greater control over their health information, improves the way that privacy is protected, and facilitates the creation of electronic health records for more effective and efficient client healthcare services.

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Who has to follow HIPMA?
​HIPMA applies to most healthcare providers, such as: Yukon’s Health and Social Services, family doctors, psychologists, naturopaths, chiropractors, dentists, local hospitals, community health centres, and emergency medical services (ambulance). They are called “custodians.”

How is your information protected?
HIPMA creates a set of information practices (rules) for custodians. The rules address how information can be used or collected, who is allowed to see the information, who can be told the information and under what circumstances, and what security measures must be used. Custodians have written policies regarding these rules to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities. Security measures, such locked cabinets and passwords for computer systems, are required to protect your information. 

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What are your rights under HIPMA?
​Under HIPMA, you have certain rights to the access, protection, disclosure and use of your health information.

• You have the right to be notified if there has been a breach of your health information that could cause you significant harm.

• You have the right to request access to your health information.

• You have the right to request that changes be made to health information that you believe to be inaccurate or incorrect.

• You have the right to request a record of who has looked at your records.

• You have the right to limit or withdraw consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your health information.

• You have the right to make a complaint to a custodian about their health information practices if you believe they do not follow HIPMA.

 
HIPMA states that custodians must limit the information that they collect from you, use, or disclose to other healthcare providers to the minimum amount of health information needed. Your health information will be used and disclosed on a ‘need to know’ basis.

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HIPMA sets out the rules for what you can be charged for accessing your records and how long the response will take for your request.

 

What do you do if you have a complaint?
If you have a concern regarding the privacy of your personal health information or my information practices, please contact us.
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If we do not address your complaint to your satisfaction, you may contact Yukon’s Information and Privacy Commissioner:
(867)667-8468 or Toll free in the Yukon
1-800-661-0408 (ext. 8468). 
 
Click here to view our handout on HIPMA.