Doctors, Data and Privacy

A federal law to safeguard the privacy of medical data can also make it
difficult to get vital information about a hospitalized family member
or friend, or to talk to a doctor, pharmacist or insurer on that
person's behalf. But a couple of precautionary steps can help.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
forbids healthcare providers and insurers from disclosing sensitive
information about patients without their consent. Some state have
encacted similar laws.

Varied interpretations of the rules can stymie people trying to assist
a patient, especially from a distance. Some hospitals won't disclose a
patient's condition over the phone. Some pharmacies have balked at
filling a prescription for someone other that the patient or a relative
named on the insurance card. If a child is on our spouse's health plan
and you're not, that insurer might not answer your questions.

Filing a "HIPAA release form" with your healthcare provider, insurer
and pharmacy in advance can help. Such forms, usually available from
providers and insurers, allow you to designate representatives who may
have access to your health records, incluing kin, friends or cargivers.
The documents are valid for a limited period of time, often one year.

A signed note authorizing a family member to have access to records may
suffice in some instances, but many providers want their own forms
used. Be sure to also give someone a healthcare proxy to make medical
decisions for you if you are unable.

For more about HIPAA, visit http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa

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