Medical Records Release Form

Times arise when it's important for other professionals or family members have access to your medical information; this is primarily what a medical records release form is used for.

Standard Medical Release Forms

According to the Federal HIPAA Privacy Rule, your medical records are considered private and confidential. No one can see them without your express permission. Information that requires a medical records release form in order to be released to an outside party includes the following:

• Any information medical providers insert into your medical record
• Any conversations between medical staff regarding your medical care
• Any information about you that's stored in the computer system of your health insurance company
• Any financial information about you - such as bills - that your medical office has stored in its computer system
• Any health information about you that's stored by:
  • Health insurance companies
  • Medicare and Medicaid
  • Health care providers
  • Health care processing companies

This is a very strict and enforced privacy law that protects you, as a health care patient, from having your health information released to anyone without your permission.

While most people would rather no one knows about their health situation, there are many circumstances requiring outside companies or individuals to have access to information about your medical treatment, medicine that you're taking, and your health status. These entities that usually require some form of access to your medical records include:

• Health insurance companies
• State worker compensation boards
• State agencies
• Life insurance companies
• Family members acting as your caregiver
• Friends who may be assisting you with your health care needs
• When you switch to a new doctor
• When you're obtaining medical treatment from a new healthcare facility

These are only a few circumstances where outside organizations or individuals might need access to certain parts of your medical records in order to correctly provide you with appropriate medical care.

Typically, whenever someone needs to access information from your personal records that is considered "protected information" under the HIPAA Rule, they will usually have a medical records release form ready for you to fill out and sign. If they don't, and you need to find your own standard form, the following list may help.

• Findlaw.com - This blank form is what you'd use if you need to release your medical information to a personal injury lawyer working on your case.
• FindForms.com - This site provides a listing of hundreds of types of medical release forms for various circumstances. Keep in mind, however, that this site requires payment for the form.
• RocketLawyer.com - Use this simple three-step online application to print out a free, customized release form with all of your information inserted into the form for you.
• USLegalForms.com - Here you'll find general release forms for every State in the U.S.
• LoveToKnow - Provides a list of resources where you can find various medical release forms.

Regardless of which form you choose to use - whether it's one provided by the organization that needs access to your records, or a form that you obtain yourself - it's important that you carefully consider when it's appropriate to release your medical records.

For example, there may be instances when a family member is your primary caregiver, spending each day administering medicine and helping you recover from an injury or illness. This is an example of a person who needs to know your health status, medicine changes, or other information contained within your medical records. It's appropriate to release your medical records in that case. However, there are also times when you may want to think twice about signing a release. For example, if an ex-spouse's lawyer is asking for access related to divorce proceedings or if an employers insurance company is asking for access related to your personal injury court case, you may want to consider talking to a lawyer before agreeing to release your medical records.

The basic release forms listed above provide the simplest method for you to release your medical information to people who require it in order to streamline your medical care. However, your personal medical information can easily be used against you in cases of employment or other discrimination, so release your medical information sparingly. The Federal Government created the HIPAA privacy rule for good reason, so allow the law to work in your favor and release your medical information sparingly..

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