Medical privacy rules get an update

(AP) Those medical privacy rules you run into at hospitals, pharmacies and in your own doctor's office are getting an update.

Regulations issued this week by the Obama administration restrict the use of personal medical information for marketing and greatly expand the list of businesses that can be punished for unauthorized disclosures.

They also create new rights for consumers. For instance, you will now be able to demand your medical records electronically instead of on paper.

With your permission, your doctor can share your children's immunization records directly with a school instead of you having to shuttle back and forth to sign forms.

And, if you pay cash for a medical service, you can tell the doctor not to share information with your insurer.