Self-advocacy and legal

Your care means being a champion for your health. Intermountain is here to help you advocate for your care and understand the legal pieces when accessing your care.

teen girl on sofa with adult

Speaking up

Explaining your healthcare needs and wants can be scary. But it’s crucial to getting the care you deserve. We recommend practicing with your current provider or a close friend/family member. Here are some tips when it comes to speaking up for your care:

  • Talk about your lifestyle and what matters most to you
  • Collect your thoughts and write down your questions in advance
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions
  • You don’t have to know the medical language, describe how something makes you feel instead
  • If you would like, bring someone with you for moral support or don’t hesitate to ask your parent or guardian to step out of the room if you need privacy

The legal side

Healthcare involves a few legal pieces to be aware of, especially if you are a young adult transitioning into your own care. Below we’ve defined a few terms you will need to know.

  • HIPAA: Pronounced HIP-ah, is a law that sets national standards to protect the privacy of your medical records and personal information.
  • Assent: This means a minor, or someone not able to give legal consent, agrees (verbally or written) to participate. Before you turn 18, your parents make medical decisions for you, assent allows you to have a say in your decisions.
  • Guardianship: If you have a disability and are unable to be responsible for yourself after you become an adult, you may have a legal guardian to help you make decisions. This might be someone you know, like a parent or family member, or someone who is assigned to you.
  • Supported decision making: This is a communication style that helps people with disabilities make life decisions by choosing people to help support them. This is an alternative to guardianship and allows for more joint decision making.

Accessing medical records

Many health systems have an online place where you can access your medical records and information, this is called a patient portal. In this system, you can access notes, visit summaries, and lab and test results. Some portals will also allow you to message your provider with questions. When you go into a new clinic or health system, ask them how you can get easy access to your medical records.

Patient rights and responsibilities

This is a set of standards for how you can expect to be treated by healthcare professionals during your care. When you go to a new clinic or health system, you will likely be asked to sign a form indicating that you understand your rights and responsibilities. Most places will have a filer, pamphlet, or website where you can read more.

Turning 18 years old

By law, you are considered an adult when you turn 18. If you want your parent(s) or guardian to still have access to your medical information, you must sign a release form that allows them to have access. This form is called a release of information form and can be completed for anyone you want to have access to your health information.

When you are 18 years or older, you can give consent. When giving consent, you are agreeing to participate in an activity and understand the risks and rewards. Your care team will ask for your consent before any treatment or procedure.

Preparing for your first adult appointment

Before your first adult healthcare appointment, you need to be prepared for, or have these items ready:

  • Your insurance card
  • Directions to get to your appointment
  • A list of questions to ask
  • A plan to arrive early
  • Completed paperwork before your appointment 

Resources

The importance of spending time alone with your provider:

How to concisely explain your needs: 3 Sentence Summary

Instructions for how to access MyChart or MyHealth:

Some of the legal changes that happen during this time:

  • Advanced Directives
  • Guardianship
  • Turning 18