Health Information and University Students : Privacy/HIPAA

For more information about your privacy rights, click here for a brochure.

At Student Health Services, health information is administered under a combination of state and federal law, depending upon your eligibility status. In all cases, your personal health information is protected and remains private.

USC STUDENTS

Health Information for USC students is administered under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA), and applicable laws of the state of South Carolina. At Student Health Services it is necessary that we use and share the minimum necessary amount of your health information for a variety of necessary treatment, payment and health care operations purposes. At all times, your health information is held in confidence, and treated as private and personal information. Except when required or allowed by law or in a medical emergency, your health information is not shared with persons who are not involved in your care and treatment. All Student Health Services staff members have acknowledged and understand their personal responsibility to protect your health information.

It is our practice to have you authorize the release of your health information to others. Except when required or allowed by law or in a medical emergency, we will not share your health information with parents, family members, faculty, administrators, potential employers, or others without your written authorization. For example:

PARENTS & FAMILY MEMBERS

Unless otherwise required or allowed by law or a medical emergency, your health information will not be shared with parents or family members without your consent. Should parents request information concerning your diagnosis, care, or treatment, they will be told to contact you for the desired information, or to discuss providing Student Health Services with a written authorization to release the information.

FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS

Unless otherwise required or allowed by law or a medical emergency, your health information will not be shared with USC faculty members and administrators. You may request a validation slip each time you are treated and present it to your instructors to assist with resolution of class absences. If you choose to do so, you may discuss additional health related details with a faculty member or administrator. However, unless a legal or medical emergency exception applies, Student Health Services will not provide health information to faculty members or administrators without your written authorization.

POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND OTHERS

Unless otherwise required or allowed by law, or a medical emergency, your health information will not be disclosed to others without your signed authorization specifying what information is to released, the purpose of the release, to whom it is to be released, and when your authorization expires. This includes, but is not limited to insurance companies, other universities, or employers.

QUESTIONS ??
Need more information? Visit or call the Student Health Center (777-3957) or the Counseling Center (777-5223).