How do I control access to my personal health information?

Your doctor is prohibited by HPPA to release any information about you to anyone without your express consent—including whether or not you are indeed a patient.

Anyone,however, can contact your doctor to express concerns or raise issues about your safety or well being.
The doctor’s office will take the info, note the source, put it in your chart, and (hopefully) discuss it with you—all without divulging any information about you.
(“IF Mrs. ——- is a patient here, I will notify her doctor.”)

@ccarpenter, only YOU can give permission to your doctor to share medical and personal information about you.

You can learn more about Health Information Privacy ACT here: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/index.html
"The Privacy Rule, a Federal law, gives you rights over your health information and sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. The Privacy Rule applies to all forms of individuals' protected health information, whether electronic, written, or oral. The Security Rule is a Federal law that requires security for health information in electronic form."

I suggest you contact your doctor and let them know what the driving company said and that you do not give your permission. I would also report the company to your health insurance and get clarification.

Why did the transportation company want to contact your doctor?

They had told me I needed to have problems walking and I have to have some sort of device, cane, wheel chair etc, to be able to be picked up by them. So they said they would send a paper for him to fill out regarding this. I thought they were sending it to me and I would give it to him at my next appointment. I had no idea what was on this paper. The next time I called to schedule a ride to an appt they let me know my Dr said I have no problems walking and that they will no longer will pick me up but will send me bus tokens for any and all my appt from now on. I need to give them 5 days notice of my appts to be sure to get tokens in time. I am very grateful for they're services and all help is much appreciated but I am Extremely disappointed the way they and my Dr handled it. I feel like everyone was sneaking. I still don't know what was on this paper!
Thank you,
ccarpenter

I would bring this up with both the insurance company and your doctor.

@ccarpenter Wow! I definitely would question not only the transportation company, but your doctor's office. And demand from each of them to see the paperwork that was filled out, stating to them you want a copy for your records. If it turns out your doctor completed information that is subject to HIPAA regulations, he could be in trouble if you press the issue with your county and state medical associations.

When I applied for a handicapped tag for driving my car, the local DMV gave me the forms to be completed by my medical office, then I made copies and returned them direct to the DMV. There was no sharing of information between parties.
Ginger