question about marriage and medical records release

[bertha katzenengel]

I called a radiology lab today to tell them Mrs. V. would be picking up my MRI films & report. I said "my partner." They said "that's fine, is there any way you can get her a note that says she has permission?" I said sure, as long as it can be an email. They said "that's fine."

If I had told them my husband would be picking up my records, would they have asked for this "permission?"

I'm curious about laws from any states, although I'm in Maryland.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

1. yes, permission is required for anyone to access your records

per hipaa

[bertha katzenengel]

4. can you believe i forgot about that?

Sheesh. I am not one to go looking for a fight when there's none to be had. :eyes: <-- at self

[SheepyMcSheepster]

5. hehe

the only reason i know is because i work in a medical practice.
all patients are required to list who besides themselves can access their records.

what really sucks about it is leaving messages for patients, you can't leave anything detailed because if someone else heard it (not on the list) then you are in violation of hipaa.

[JimmyJazz]

2. With the relatively new HIPPA laws in place, I'm surprised they

are releasing the records to anyone but you. That being said, I would certainly hope that a note would be needed before a spouse can pick up records. I don't know for sure, but I would be upset if someone had unconditional access to the medical records of their spouse.

And fwiw, when my aunt's husband was dying, a pharmacy (for whom she was employed) refused to fill a prescription for a narcotic for her. They insisted that he be present. Their policy: If he isn't hospitalized, he can come in the store and get it.

[bertha katzenengel]

3. That's bogus - not only because it's absurd, but because

I pick up Mrs. V.'s meds all the time, including narcotics. I'm so sorry for your aunt.