A HIPAA Authorization is a vital estate planning document that allows designated individuals to access your protected health information when you are unable to make medical decisions or communicate your wishes. For residents of Malibu and Los Angeles County, having a clear HIPAA Authorization ensures that family members, caregivers, or trusted advisors can obtain medical records and speak with healthcare providers on your behalf. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we help clients create a HIPAA Authorization tailored to their needs, coordinating with other documents such as a living trust, advance health care directive and powers of attorney to provide seamless protection and practical access to medical information.
HIPAA Authorizations work alongside other estate planning documents to protect your preferences while ensuring that the right people can act promptly during a medical emergency. This page explains what a HIPAA Authorization does, when it is most useful, and how it integrates with documents like pour-over wills, certification of trust, and health care directives. Whether you are preparing a comprehensive estate plan or adding a HIPAA Authorization to existing documents, detailed guidance helps you avoid common gaps that can prevent loved ones from obtaining necessary medical information and making informed care decisions on your behalf.
A properly drafted HIPAA Authorization gives named individuals the legal ability to request and receive medical records, communicate with healthcare providers, and make informed decisions consistent with your wishes. Without it, medical staff may refuse to share details with family members, delaying treatment decisions and complicating care coordination. For estate planning, this authorization fills a practical role: it ensures that those who need access to medical information can obtain it quickly, which supports the operation of other documents such as powers of attorney and advance directives. Having a HIPAA Authorization in place reduces uncertainty, streamlines communication with medical providers, and helps preserve your preferences during critical moments.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman is dedicated to helping California residents create practical, legally sound estate plans including HIPAA Authorizations, living trusts, wills, and related documents. Our firm focuses on clear communication and personalized planning, guiding clients through document selection and coordination to ensure medical information access aligns with their broader estate goals. We work with clients across Los Angeles County and throughout California to tailor HIPAA Authorizations to unique family dynamics and care needs. Our approach emphasizes preventing gaps that can impede access to records or decision making, and ensuring the authorization complements other estate planning instruments.
A HIPAA Authorization is a legal form that permits designated individuals or organizations to access a person’s protected health information under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It typically names specific individuals, describes the scope of information that may be released, and states the duration of authorization. For estate planning clients, this document is often used with an advance health care directive and financial power of attorney to ensure that those appointed to make medical decisions also have the information necessary to make informed choices. Drafting clear language about who can receive records and what types of records are covered helps avoid disputes or delays when access is needed.
HIPAA regulations protect patient privacy but also allow individuals to designate trusted agents to receive medical information when necessary. Without a written HIPAA Authorization, hospitals and clinics may be limited in what they can disclose, which can slow decision making in urgent circumstances. The authorization can be narrowly tailored to certain records or broadly drafted to cover a comprehensive range of information, and it can be limited to a time period or remain in effect until revoked. Working through these choices as part of a full estate plan clarifies both immediate and future access while respecting privacy preferences and legal requirements.
A HIPAA Authorization grants permission for covered entities such as hospitals, clinics, and insurance plans to share specified medical information with named persons. It can authorize access to medical records, treatment summaries, test results, mental health records when permitted, and insurance claims information, depending on the scope selected. The authorization should identify the recipient, describe the information to be disclosed, state the purpose of disclosure, and indicate whether the authorization is revocable. Clear drafting avoids ambiguity about which providers are covered and whether the authorization applies during incapacity or only while the authorizing individual is able to direct disclosure themselves.
Effective HIPAA Authorizations contain several core elements: the identity of the person authorizing the disclosure, the identity of the recipients, a clear description of the medical records or types of information to be released, and a timeframe for the authorization. Implementing the authorization usually involves executing the document, providing copies to named recipients and primary healthcare providers, and storing a copy with other estate planning paperwork. It is also important to periodically review the authorization to ensure it reflects current relationships and wishes. When combined with advance directives and powers of attorney, the HIPAA Authorization supports smooth access to information during transitions or medical crises.
Understanding common terms helps clarify the role of a HIPAA Authorization in an estate plan. This brief glossary defines essential concepts such as covered entities, protected health information, designated recipients, revocation, and durable authority. The definitions below can assist clients in choosing appropriate language on their forms and determining whom to name. Clear terms also help when coordinating the HIPAA Authorization with other documents like living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives so that medical information accessibility matches broader planning goals and personal preferences.
Protected Health Information, or PHI, refers to any individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by a covered entity that relates to a person’s physical or mental health, health care provision, or payment for health care. PHI can include records, medical histories, lab results, imaging, and billing information. When a HIPAA Authorization is executed, the holder can specify which categories of PHI may be disclosed and any exclusions that should be observed. Limiting PHI to only what is necessary for the recipient’s purpose helps protect privacy while enabling effective communication and care coordination when someone is unable to manage their healthcare choices directly.
A designated recipient is the person or organization authorized on the HIPAA Authorization to receive protected health information. This may include family members, close friends, attorneys, healthcare agents named in an advance directive, or professional fiduciaries. The authorization should identify recipients clearly to prevent confusion and avoid overly broad designations that might be refused by providers. Some clients choose to name multiple alternate recipients and to specify whether each recipient may obtain all records or only limited types. Clear identification ensures that medical providers can release information without delay to the intended parties.
A covered entity under HIPAA includes health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers who transmit health information electronically in connection with transactions covered by HIPAA. These entities are responsible for protecting PHI and following the requirements for disclosure when a valid authorization is presented. Understanding which organizations qualify as covered entities helps when preparing an authorization so you can ensure it names or encompasses the likely providers and insurers that hold relevant records. Providing copies of the signed authorization to these entities speeds the retrieval of records when they are needed.
Revocation refers to the process by which the person who signed the HIPAA Authorization withdraws permission for future disclosures of their protected health information. The document should explain how and when a revocation can be made, and whether the authorization remains effective until a specific date or event. Providers typically honor revocations once they receive proper notice, although information already disclosed under the prior authorization cannot be recalled. Specifying the duration and revocation procedures in the authorization gives clarity to both named recipients and medical providers about the current status of permission to share records.
When creating a HIPAA Authorization, clients can choose a limited approach focused on specific records and a defined timeframe, or a more comprehensive authorization that permits broad access to medical information. A limited authorization reduces the risk of unnecessary disclosure by restricting types of records or the time covered, which may be appropriate for discrete needs such as handling a single medical issue. A broader authorization supports ongoing care coordination, disability planning, and estate administration by giving designated agents access to complete records. Selecting between these options requires balancing privacy concerns with practical needs for timely information access.
A limited HIPAA Authorization is appropriate when the need for medical information is narrowly focused, such as resolving an insurance claim, sharing records for a single surgical procedure, or enabling a caregiver to manage a short-term treatment. In these cases it makes sense to authorize only the records directly relevant to the defined purpose and to include an expiration date tied to the event. This minimizes exposure of unrelated information while giving the designated person what they need to perform a specific task, and it can help satisfy privacy concerns for clients who prefer stricter control over their medical history.
Situations like transferring medical records to a new provider, handling a discrete billing dispute, or facilitating one-time consultation reviews often require access only for a limited period and scope. A narrowly drafted authorization permits disclosure for that transaction without granting ongoing access that could expose unrelated PHI. Including specifics about the intended purpose and a clear termination date ensures providers know when to comply and when to stop honoring the authorization. This approach balances access needs with privacy preferences for clients seeking precise control over who views their medical information.
A comprehensive HIPAA Authorization is often recommended for individuals with ongoing medical needs, chronic conditions, or complex treatment histories, because it enables designated persons to access full records for effective care coordination. When a healthcare agent or family member may need to make decisions over an extended period, broad access removes administrative barriers and ensures timely communication with multiple providers. This is particularly helpful during transitions of care or when coordinating among specialists, long-term care facilities, and insurance providers. Careful drafting can still include reasonable limits while preserving the functional benefits of wider access.
For estate administration and incapacity planning, a broad HIPAA Authorization supports trustees, agents, and family members in gathering the medical information needed to follow advance directives and make decisions aligned with the person’s preferences. When trusts, wills, and powers of attorney come into play, access to a full medical history may be necessary to determine capacity, apply for benefits, or justify certain actions under the estate plan. Integrating a comprehensive authorization with other estate documents helps avoid disputes and ensures that those charged with responsibility have the information required to act appropriately and responsibly.
A comprehensive HIPAA Authorization reduces friction when medical information is needed quickly, enabling timely coordination among providers, caregivers, and decision makers. It helps ensure continuity of care, allows for accurate assessment of a person’s condition, and supports decisions about treatment preferences and end-of-life planning. From an administrative standpoint, it simplifies interactions with hospitals, specialists, and insurers who often require written permission before releasing records. When combined with clear advance directives and powers of attorney, a comprehensive authorization contributes to clarity in moments when rapid, informed decisions are most important.
Beyond immediate access, a broader authorization can reduce repeated paperwork, avoid delays associated with provider uncertainty, and permit ongoing oversight by those entrusted to manage health matters. This is especially beneficial for older adults, individuals with progressive illnesses, or families coordinating care across multiple locations. By pre-authorizing access to a wide set of records, clients give trusted individuals the tools needed to act under the estate plan without continually navigating privacy protocols. Routine review of the authorization ensures it still reflects current wishes and designated recipients.
When designated individuals have ready access to medical records, it improves communication among care teams and family members and supports coordinated decision making. Timely access to lab results, medication lists, and treatment notes allows agents to relay accurate information to providers and helps avoid medical errors or redundant testing. This smoother flow of information aids in managing transitions between hospitals, specialists, and outpatient care. For families navigating complex care needs, the ability to present a valid HIPAA Authorization to multiple providers streamlines logistical hurdles and reduces the stress of securing necessary documentation under pressure.
A comprehensive HIPAA Authorization provides essential support for incapacity planning and estate administration by ensuring those responsible have timely access to records needed to determine capacity, follow health care directives, and manage medical aspects of the estate. Access to full medical histories can be important when coordinating benefits, documenting the need for certain care, or interpreting previously expressed treatment preferences. When paired with a living trust, advance health care directive, and powers of attorney, a broad authorization strengthens the practical implementation of the estate plan and helps maintain continuity in both medical decision making and administrative tasks.
Selecting the right persons to name on your HIPAA Authorization requires thought about trust, availability, and their ability to manage sensitive information responsibly. Consider naming a primary contact plus alternates in case the primary is unavailable, and make sure the persons you name understand the responsibilities involved. Provide copies of the signed authorization to primary healthcare providers and include it with your other estate planning documents so designated individuals can access records without delay. Periodically review your designees to reflect changes in relationships or circumstances so your authorization remains accurate and functional.
When drafting a HIPAA Authorization, carefully consider whether you want to limit the scope to particular providers, types of records, or a specific timeframe, or whether broader access is preferable for ongoing medical care and estate administration. Including clear start and end dates, or tying the authorization to an event such as incapacity, helps prevent misunderstandings and gives providers concrete guidance. If you want the option to revoke authorization later, include instructions for revocation and make sure the revocation process is practical for your situation. Thoughtful scope and duration help balance privacy with necessary access.
Including a HIPAA Authorization in your estate plan protects access to medical information during times when you are unable to speak for yourself, whether due to illness, accident, or temporary incapacity. It ensures that those acting under a power of attorney or named in an advance directive can retrieve the records they need to follow your treatment preferences and make timely decisions. The authorization also simplifies interactions with providers and insurers, reducing delays that can complicate care. For anyone planning for the future, a HIPAA Authorization is a practical safeguard that complements wills, trusts, and other planning documents.
Beyond emergency situations, this authorization aids routine administration such as obtaining records for long-term care planning, coordinating care among specialists, or managing insurance claims. It is particularly useful for people with chronic conditions, those who travel frequently, and individuals who anticipate delegating medical decision making to family or trusted agents. Drafting the authorization with care helps maintain privacy while ensuring essential information is available when it matters most. Regular reviews of the authorization keep it up to date as relationships and health circumstances evolve.
Common scenarios that call for a HIPAA Authorization include surgical procedures, hospital admissions, transitions to long-term care, management of chronic illnesses, and situations requiring coordination between multiple providers. Families also rely on authorizations when a loved one becomes incapacitated, when probate or trust administration requires medical documentation, or when obtaining insurance or benefit records. Having a signed authorization available helps avoid delays at critical moments and ensures that those appointed to act can obtain the information necessary to make timely, informed decisions in line with the individual’s preferences and legal documents.
During hospital admissions or emergency medical situations, time-sensitive decisions often depend on access to prior records and medication histories. A HIPAA Authorization gives appointed persons the ability to obtain this information swiftly, helping medical teams make informed choices and avoid contraindicated treatments. Presenting the authorization to hospital staff upon admission or ensuring it is on file with primary care providers facilitates immediate access. This reduces the burden on family members who might otherwise face delays or denials when attempting to gather essential medical documentation under pressure.
When arranging long-term care or coordinating ongoing treatment, access to a comprehensive medical history is often necessary to develop appropriate care plans and manage transitions between facilities. A HIPAA Authorization assists family members and agents in gathering the records needed to enroll in programs, coordinate specialist care, and ensure continuity across providers. Timely access to immunization records, test results, and treatment summaries can be instrumental in avoiding redundant testing and ensuring the individual receives consistent care in a new care setting.
Estate administration or legal proceedings that touch on incapacity, guardianship, or benefit claims often require medical documentation to support filings and decisions. A HIPAA Authorization allows fiduciaries and attorneys to obtain the records necessary to demonstrate medical conditions, incapacity determinations, or the need for specific interventions. Access to clear and timely medical information can streamline legal processes, support decisions required by trustees or guardians, and reduce disputes by providing a factual basis grounded in medical records rather than relying solely on anecdotal accounts.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides guidance to individuals and families in Malibu, Los Angeles County, and throughout California on preparing HIPAA Authorizations that align with broader estate planning goals. We help clients choose the right scope, designate appropriate recipients, and coordinate the authorization with living trusts, advance health care directives, and powers of attorney. Our team ensures documents are clear, practical, and distributed to relevant healthcare providers. We also advise on revocation procedures and periodic reviews to keep documents current as circumstances change over time.
Choosing the right legal guidance for HIPAA Authorization matters ensures that your medical information access aligns with your privacy preferences and estate planning objectives. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman focuses on drafting clear, enforceable authorizations and coordinating them with complementary documents like advanced directives and living trusts. Our approach emphasizes practical solutions that reduce the likelihood of delays or refusals by healthcare providers, and we provide clients with concrete instructions for distribution and storage so designated individuals can act when needed.
We assist clients in tailoring authorizations to specific situations, whether the need is transactional, short-term, or part of a long-term incapacity plan. That includes advising on appropriate language to name recipients, defining the scope of disclosure, and setting durations or revocation procedures. Clear planning also prepares family members and fiduciaries to present the necessary documents to providers at critical moments. Our goal is to help you create a cohesive estate plan where the HIPAA Authorization functions seamlessly alongside powers of attorney, trusts, and wills.
Beyond drafting, we provide practical guidance on delivering copies of the authorization to physicians and hospitals, storing the document with other estate planning records, and reviewing the authorization periodically. This ongoing attention helps ensure that the authorization continues to reflect your wishes and remains effective as relationships and medical needs change. For clients in Malibu and across California, having clear, accessible HIPAA Authorizations reduces stress for loved ones and enhances the ability to carry out your healthcare preferences when you cannot communicate them yourself.
Our process begins with a consultation to understand your medical and family circumstances, followed by a review of existing estate planning documents such as living trusts, advance directives, and powers of attorney. We discuss who you want to designate, the appropriate scope of access, and how the authorization should dovetail with other instruments. Once terms are agreed, we draft the HIPAA Authorization in clear language, review it with you, provide execution guidance, and suggest steps for distributing and storing copies with healthcare providers and fiduciaries. We also advise on revocation and periodic review.
The first step is an in-depth conversation to assess your needs, current health considerations, and existing estate planning documents. We review any living trust, advance health care directive, powers of attorney, and written wishes to ensure consistent language and compatible appointment of agents and recipients. This review helps identify whether a limited or comprehensive HIPAA Authorization is most appropriate and which providers or types of records should be named. Clear coordination at this stage prevents conflicts and reduces the need for revisions later.
During the intake we focus on who should receive access to medical records and why, considering family dynamics, caregiver availability, and administrative needs. We help you name primary and alternate recipients, determine whether organizations should be included, and decide on restrictions or broad access. This ensures the authorization matches practical needs and personal preferences while avoiding overly vague language that could be rejected by providers. Choosing the right recipients up front reduces confusion during emergencies or transitions.
We compare the HIPAA Authorization with other estate planning documents to ensure names, roles, and instructions align. Consistency between advance directives, powers of attorney, and trust documents prevents disputes and helps providers and fiduciaries understand who should act and what information they may access. Addressing discrepancies early in the process avoids later challenges and ensures the entire estate plan functions cohesively when medical decisions or administrative tasks arise.
After identifying recipients and confirming coordination with other documents, we draft a HIPAA Authorization tailored to your choices about scope, duration, and revocation. The draft is reviewed with you to confirm specifics such as which providers are included, any exclusions, and whether the authorization should remain effective during incapacity. We provide clear execution instructions, including how to sign and witness the document if required, and guidance on distributing copies to named recipients and healthcare providers to ensure rapid access when needed.
We assist in striking a balance between privacy and practicality by tailoring the scope of disclosed records, setting duration terms or event-based triggers, and specifying a straightforward revocation method. Clients often prefer language that permits access during incapacity and continues until revoked or until a specified date. Clear revocation instructions and guidance on how to notify providers of revocation are included so all parties understand how and when the authorization ends, providing certainty for both agents and healthcare institutions.
Once the draft meets your objectives, we walk you through proper execution steps to ensure providers will accept the document when presented. This includes signing procedures, recommended witness or notarization practices where helpful, and practical advice on distributing copies to physicians, hospitals, and trusted recipients. We also recommend storing a master copy with other estate planning paperwork and suggest periodic reviews to keep the authorization current with changing circumstances and relationships.
Following execution of the HIPAA Authorization, we advise on delivering copies to primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, and named designees so the authorization is on file ahead of any need. We recommend storing a copy with the living trust and other estate planning documents, and providing trusted family members with information on where to find the authorization. Periodic review sessions help ensure that recipients, scope, and duration remain appropriate as health status and relationships change, reducing the chance of disputes or access problems later.
We suggest delivering or uploading copies of the signed authorization to primary healthcare providers, hospitals, and specialists to ensure it is recognized and accessible when needed. Informing designees how to present the authorization and where to find additional estate planning documents reduces delay during urgent situations. Keeping documentation in a consistent, known location and providing simple instructions to family or fiduciaries assists with quick retrieval and effective use of the authorization when care coordination or decision making becomes necessary.
We recommend setting periodic reviews of the HIPAA Authorization and related estate planning documents to confirm they reflect current relationships, health conditions, and preferences. Life events such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or changes in health care providers may require updates to the authorization. During review sessions we assess whether recipients should be changed, whether the scope remains appropriate, and whether coordination with the living trust, powers of attorney, and other documents remains consistent, making revisions as needed to preserve effectiveness and clarity.
A HIPAA Authorization is a signed document that permits healthcare providers and insurers to release your protected health information to designated individuals or organizations. It specifies who may receive the information, what types of records are covered, and for what purpose or duration. This authorization helps family members or agents obtain medical records and communicate with providers when you are unable to do so, ensuring continuity of care and enabling others to act on your behalf under related estate planning documents. Having this authorization in place prevents unnecessary delays in accessing essential medical information during emergencies or transitions of care. Without it, providers may limit disclosure to third parties, which can hinder timely decision making and complicate coordination among caregivers. Including a HIPAA Authorization in your estate plan complements powers of attorney and advance directives by ensuring those charged with health care responsibilities can obtain the records they need to act in line with your preferences.
When selecting designated recipients, consider people who are trustworthy, available, and capable of handling sensitive information responsibly. Typical choices include a spouse, adult children, a close friend, or a healthcare agent named in an advance directive. Some clients name more than one person as alternates so there are options if the primary designee is unavailable. Clear communication with those named ensures they understand their role and how to present the authorization to providers when needed. It is also wise to consider practical factors such as geographic proximity, willingness to handle medical matters, and ability to interact with healthcare providers under stress. If you are naming a professional fiduciary or an attorney, include details in the authorization regarding the scope of access and any limits you want to impose. Regularly review the list of designees to make changes as relationships and circumstances evolve.
Yes, a HIPAA Authorization can be revoked or amended by the person who signed it, provided they have the mental capacity to do so. The authorization should include instructions on how to revoke, such as delivering a written notice to the healthcare provider and named recipients. Providers usually honor revocations once they receive proper notice, although information already disclosed under the previous authorization cannot be recalled. Clear revocation procedures help both providers and designees understand how to treat the authorization over time. If your circumstances change, you can update the authorization to add or remove recipients, narrow or broaden the scope, or adjust the duration. Keeping the authorization aligned with your current wishes and estate planning documents prevents confusion and ensures that the right people have access when necessary. We recommend informing providers of any changes and distributing updated copies to all relevant parties.
A HIPAA Authorization complements an advance health care directive by ensuring the individuals named to make medical decisions also have access to the information needed to do so effectively. While the advance directive states your treatment preferences and designates an agent to make decisions, the HIPAA Authorization enables that agent to obtain medical records, treatment histories, and other PHI required to implement those preferences. Together these documents provide both directive authority and practical access to information. Coordinating language between the two documents helps avoid ambiguity about who can act and what information can be accessed. It is important that the names and roles used are consistent across all documents so healthcare providers and caregivers can more easily recognize authority and comply with your wishes. Periodic review of both instruments keeps them synchronized with changing needs.
Access to mental health records under a HIPAA Authorization can be more restricted depending on state and federal rules, and some types of sensitive records may require more specific consent or separate authorization. If you want designated persons to obtain mental health or psychotherapy notes, the authorization should explicitly state that intention so providers understand the scope. Being explicit reduces the risk of refusal by providers who are cautious about disclosing sensitive information. When including mental health records, consider the privacy interests involved and whether limited access is preferable. Discuss these considerations with your legal advisor and list specific types of records to be disclosed, so providers can respond appropriately and designees receive the information that is necessary for treatment and decision making while respecting confidentiality concerns.
While a single HIPAA Authorization can be broad enough to cover multiple providers and insurers, it is often prudent to provide copies directly to key healthcare providers so they have the form on file and can act quickly when requested. Some institutions prefer to have their own forms completed, so presenting a copy of your signed authorization and confirming acceptance with primary hospitals and specialists reduces the chance of delays. Uploading or delivering authorizations to electronic health record portals can also be helpful. If you change providers frequently or see multiple specialists, consider a more comprehensive authorization naming categories of providers or specifically listing major institutions. Maintaining updated copies with your primary care provider and hospital of record ensures the authorization will be recognized when needed and reduces obstacles to obtaining medical information across different entities.
The duration of a HIPAA Authorization depends on how it is drafted. Some authorizations specify a fixed end date, others remain in effect until revoked, and some are tied to an event such as incapacity. Choosing a duration involves balancing privacy with long-term practical needs. For ongoing medical management or estate administration, many clients choose authorizations that remain effective until revoked, while for transactional matters a time-limited authorization may be preferred. Including clear revocation instructions and noting whether the authorization applies during incapacity helps providers and designees interpret its validity. Periodic review ensures the duration still reflects your wishes, and if circumstances change you can replace the authorization with a revised document that better suits new needs or relationships.
Yes, you can name multiple people to receive medical information under a single HIPAA Authorization. Naming alternates or co-recipients can provide redundancy if one person is unavailable or unwilling to act. When multiple people are named, consider whether each person should have identical access or whether access should vary by individual. Clear instructions about coordination among co-recipients can help reduce conflict and uncertainty during emergency situations. Remember to inform all named individuals about their role and where copies of the authorization are stored. Designating primary and secondary designees with guidance on communication expectations helps ensure records are obtained and shared appropriately without creating unnecessary confusion or disputes among family members or fiduciaries.
If you become incapacitated without a HIPAA Authorization, healthcare providers may be limited in the information they can share with family members, which can hinder decision making and delay care coordination. Even if someone has decision-making authority under a power of attorney or an advance directive, providers often require a separate HIPAA Authorization to release medical records. This gap can lead to frustrating access roadblocks during critical moments when timely information is essential. Absent an authorization, family members may need to pursue court orders or follow institution-specific procedures to obtain records, which can be time consuming and stressful. Preparing a signed HIPAA Authorization beforehand reduces the likelihood of such obstacles and gives appointed decision makers the practical tools they need to act effectively on your behalf without additional legal steps.
To maximize the chances that hospitals and clinics accept your HIPAA Authorization, use clear, unambiguous language and follow any provider-specific requirements for signatures, witnesses, or notarization. Deliver copies to primary providers and major hospitals in advance and confirm that they will retain and honor the authorization. Including full names, dates of birth, and contact information for designated recipients helps providers verify identities and expedite record release when requested. It is also helpful to keep multiple copies in known locations and provide a copy to the persons you have named so they can present it when necessary. If a provider raises concerns, work with them to address formatting or procedural requirements, or obtain institution-specific forms if needed to ensure seamless acceptance and use of the authorization when medical information is required.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas