Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeyephan
On Tuesday, my mother-in-law had surgery. To our total frustration, her physician could only tell us that she had done well in surgery and was in recovery. When we asked about her health issue, she told us that because of HIPPA, she was not able to share any of that information. At the age of 88, she is struggling to make sensible health decisions. My husband is her only relative and was blocked from being her advocate because of this governmental rule.
The purpose of this post is to urge you, especially those who no longer have a spouse, to make sure that those who love you have the ability to get the important information to help you in case of illness. On your next visit, please make sure that your doctor is given permission to share facts with those who should know them. As we age, it is vital that we have all the help we need to maintain our good health.
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Good advice.
If you inquire you will probably find that every doctor's office you use already has a pre-printed HIPPA release form that can be filled out to authorize the release of your medical information to whomever you designate; it need not be a relative although it may be.
It is also important to have an Advance Medical Directive designating a Health Care Surrogate, who would be authorized to make medical decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated from communicating your wishes, such as a person in a coma.
Your doctor's office and/or the hospital where surgery will take place may have this form. It would probably be relatively inexpensive to consult a lawyer to assure the form you fill out meets the requirements of your state.
Most of my property is in a Living Trust, which includes the AMD and other documents to handle medical, disability and property disposition questions without resorting to the courts.