HIPAA Authorizations are one of the newer but increasingly important additions to the Elder Law package of documents.
While other Elder Law documents are prepared in accordance with state law, HIPAA Authorizations are prepared as a requirement of federal law – a law whose purpose is to protect the medical privacy of patients.
In its most basic form, a HIPAA Authorization is a consent form signed by a patient that identifies the person or persons that are allowed to receive “protected health information.”
Since “protected health information” includes sensitive and possibly embarrassing information, it is important that this information only be shared with those that “need to know.”
Once signed, your health care agent can then actively participate in the management of your health care such as scheduling appointments, reviewing lab work, refilling prescriptions, and discussing treatment options.