Privacy Act Information

Federal laws protect an individual's right to privacy, and Federal Agencies must in turn maintain these legal protections by guarding the personal privacy of individuals and ensuring the security of their information. Privacy concerns impact the acquisition, use, and disclosure of personal information.

Send questions to https://info.ahrq.gov.

AHRQ Privacy Policy and Notices

• AHRQ Web Site Privacy Policy
• Notification of Breach Routine Use Language
• AHRQ Privacy Act System of Records Notices (SORNs)
• Agency Management Information System/Grants and Contracts
• Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)

Resources

• The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a (as amended)
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)—Policy for Social Media Technologies. Establishes policy for the use of social media technologies as part of any general support system or application system and to incorporate by reference related Federal-government-wide guidelines and HHS policies.
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Circular No. A-130: Management of Federal Information Resources. OMB has overall responsibility for the privacy of information and provides guidance to Federal agencies on requirements.
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Instructions for Complying with the President's Memorandum of May 14, 1998, "Privacy and Personal Information in Federal Records"
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Privacy Act Regulations
  Go to: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_99/45cfr5b_99.html
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights—Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 2003. Medical privacy information and national standards to protect the privacy of personal health information.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. Information for researchers and patients on the use of personal health data in research projects.
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) at AHRQ. AHRQ FOIA provides information on the submission of FOIA requests, appeals, fees, exemptions, and policies.
• Your Right to Federal Records Questions and answers on the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act.