HIPAA Authorization in Your Estate Plan

HIPAA authorization should work its way into your estate plan–it could make a big difference inthe quality of care that you get.  Congressenacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to increasemedical privacy for individuals. As a result, all medical providers have to get written authorization torelease medical records to anyone who is not the patient. 

A HIPAA authorization could come in handy if youbecome incapacitated and you’re unable to speak for yourself.  A typical estate plan designates a You personto make medical decisions for you in this event, but that person must haveaccess to your medical records to make the best decisions for you.  Most states’ healthcare power ofattorney forms have a HIPAA release provision.  It could be beneficial to fill out a separate one though sothat other family members who are not named agents can access the records ifnecessary. 

See Evan Guthrie, HIPAA Authorization As Part of An EstatePlan, ezine articles, Aug. 23, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional LegalMarketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.