Chesapeake HIPAA Authorization Lawyer
You plan for your estate so that if you pass away, things are easier for your family. It is important to include a HIPAA authorization with your plan, so your family members can access your medical information in the event that it ever becomes necessary. You may include legal documents such as advance health care directives and a power of attorney. However, these tools are essentially useless if your family members cannot access your personal health information or medical records. This is when a HIPAA Authorization becomes important. Below, our Chesapeake HIPAA authorization lawyer explains more about these important documents.
What is HIPAA Authorization?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1996. The purpose of HIPAA is to protect health insurance coverage for workers if they lose their jobs or if they change jobs. HIPAA also addresses how a person’s medical records are managed in today’s digital age. While these laws protect you, there are also times when they can pose a problem for your family. To avoid these issues, it is important to include a HIPAA Authorization in your estate plan.
A HIPAA Authorization provides someone of your choosing the authority to access your medical records. If you do not include a HIPAA Authorization in your estate plan, medical providers are prohibited from releasing your medical records to anyone without your direct consent. This includes your spouse and other family members.
Information Contained Within a HIPAA Authorization
Under the law, HIPAA Authorizations must contain certain elements in order to be considered valid. These include:
- A full description of the information that is to be accessed,
- The name or other identifying characteristics of the individual, or class of people, authorized to access the information,
- The name or other identifying characteristics of the entity an authorized individual can request access from,
- A description of the purpose of the request for access,
- An expiration date relating to the person or the purpose for the request of access, and
- The signature of the individual and the date.
How to Draft a HIPAA Authorization
Drafting a HIPAA Authorization takes only a few steps. They are as follows:
- Contact a lawyer who can draft a HIPAA Authorization and ensure it includes all necessary information.
- Determine what you are granting access to, such as your medical records, information about your treatment, or payments.
- Name the person or people you want to grant access to the information.
- Determine whether you would like the authorization to last indefinitely, or only for a specific period of time.
- Sign the document with a notary present.
Our HIPAA Authorization Lawyer in Chesapeake Can Help
At The Law Office of Angela N. Manz, our Chesapeake HIPAA Authorization lawyer has the necessary experience to draft these forms, ensure they contain all required information, and make sure you and your family are protected. If you need to add a HIPAA Authorization to your estate plan, call us now at 757-271-6275 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get more information.
