YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS Providers and health insurers who are required to follow these laws must comply with your right to:
• Ask to see and receive a copy of your health records • Have corrections added to your health information
• Receive a notice that tells you how your health information may be used and shared • Decide if you want to give your permission before your health information can be used or shared for certain purposes, such as marketing To make sure your health information is protected in a way that does not interfere with your healthcare, your information can be used and shared: • For your treatment and care coordination • To reimburse physicians, providers and hospitals for your healthcare costs • With those involved with your healthcare bills, unless you object • To make sure physicians and providers coordinate proper care • To protect the public’s health, such as to report if the flu or other illnesses are in your area • To complete required reports to the police, such as reporting gunshot wounds Without your written permission, your providers cannot: • Use or share your health information for marketing or advertising purposes • Share private notes about your mental health counseling sessions If you believe that your health information was used or shared in a way that is not allowed under the privacy law or if you were unable to exercise your rights, you can file a complaint with your provider or health insurer. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Government, at www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa PAIN MANAGEMENT Controlling pain is a critical part of your recovery plan. Your care team is dedicated to working with you to develop a pain management plan specifically for you. Frequently, your nurse will ask about the type and severity of your pain to help manage and control it as best as possible. Do not hesitate to let your team know about the honest level of pain that you are experiencing. Make sure to report any pain that is not being adequetely controlled. • Report your pain before it becomes severe. It is harder to control the pain once it has taken hold. Pain can get worse if it is not actively managed. • If you know that your pain will worsen when you start to walk or do exercise, tell your nurse. • You are the expert about how you are feeling. Be as specific as possible in your description: • When the pain began • Where you feel the pain • How the pain feels -- sharp, dull, throbbing, burning or tingling • Physical Therapy techniques are great ways in reducing pain and increasing range of motion. Talk with your Physical Therapist or care team about this option. • Set a pain control goal, such as keeping your pain level below a four (4). • Tell your care team about pain control methods that have worked for you previously. • If your pain medicine is not working after returning to home, contact your provider.
Julia Harbuck-Valley is our Director of Quality at Scheurer Health and ensures that we maintain our highest possible outcomes. As a result, we have been able to achieve numerous accolades, including being named in the Top 20 in America for Patient Satisfaction in critical access hospitals. Julia was our 2025 Dwight Gascho Leadership Award recipient for her impact across the entire organization. The award is given annually and named after Dwight Gascho, our CEO for 26 years who led a transformational change of our organization through his one-of-a-kind leadership skills.
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