Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”). This form authorizes the HIPAA agent(s) to get information relating to someones medical condition. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, ”a major goal of the Privacy Rule is to assure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well being.”

So how could not having a HIPAA form affect you? Let me give you an example: Mom and Dad go to Florida for the winter. One day you get a call; they’ve been in a car accident. You call the hospital to get an update on their condition. Unfortunately, due to privacy reasons, they can not give you information without your parents permission (HIPAA form). Hopefully one of your parents will be able to sign a form, allowing the hospital to give you information on their medical condition. If you had a HIPAA form prepared ahead of time, you could fax it to the hospital. This would save you untold worry and stress.

Questions? info@RobertRomanoLaw.com