Medical Authorization

Patient requests must be written without requiring a "formal" release form. Include signature, printed name, date, and records desired. Release a copy only, not the original. The physician may prepare a summary of the medical record, if acceptable to the patient.

An authorization is a detailed document that gives covered entities permission to use protected health information for specified purposes, which are generally other than treatment, payment, or health care operations, or to disclose protected health information to a third party specified by the individual.

Hospitals and health systems are responsible for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and patient information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations established national privacy standards for health care information.

A signed HIPAA release form must be obtained from a patient before their protected health information can be shared with other individuals or organizations, except in the case of routine disclosures for treatment, payment or healthcare operations permitted by the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

Patient requests must be written without requiring a "formal" release form. Include signature, printed name, date, and records desired. Release a copy only, not the original. The physician may prepare a summary of the medical record, if acceptable to the patient.

What Is a Medical Authorization? A general medical authorization form gives authorization from you, the patient, to a third party for access to your medical records. These forms can be limited in scope or can be as broad as granting access to pretty much anything in your records.

Your authorization allows the Health Plan (your health insurance carrier or HMO) to release your protected health information to a person or organization that you choose.Revoking this authorization will not affect any action taken prior to receipt of your written request.