[mthmohan]

So if one of my friends has Crohn's and I search for it to understand what I should be aware of, my rates would go up? HIPAA specifically prohibits the sharing of medical information unless needed for care. If there is any one here that we should be annoyed at it's the insurance companies. Hospitals are losing money and the insurance companies are posting record profits.

[tzs]

HIPAA only applies to "covered entities" and "business associates". Covered entities are health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses. Business associates are parties that a covered entity engages to help carry out the covered entities functions.

If you give your medical information to someone/something that is not a covered entity or business associate they do not have to follow HIPAA rules.

More information here [1].

[1] https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities...