Choosing a Primary Health Care Provider (PCP):

Confidentiality

 

Intro	Check-Ups
Who PCP's Are & Why You Need One	Confidentiality
How to Find a PCP	If You Don't Like Your PCP
Health Plans & Health Care Providers	When to Visit Your PCP

How do I ask about confidentiality?

Before or at your first visit with your PCP, ask about confidentiality (privacy). This is very important and can be hard to bring up. Ask if your health care provider will keep information private about your sexual history, contraception, and other worries. Discuss what your health care provider and you will do when there is something important, such as a serious illness, depression, or life-threatening conditions, which should be shared with your parents or someone else. Here are some questions that have to do with your privacy:

• What happens to the bills from my visits?
• If I'm covered by my parents' insurance, will they find out about examinations and tests that are done on me?
• Can you tell me what happens to my lab test results? Who do you call?
• What if I want to be tested for STDs or HIV?
• What if you find out that I have a STD?
• Is there any information that you are obligated to tell my parents?
• What happens if I have a big problem and need help telling my parents?

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Next: If You Don't Like Your PCP

 

Written by the CYWH and YMH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

 

Updated: 5/27/2011