"HIPAA" Release is an Important Additional Estate Planning Document

In our article regarding advanced directives, we stress the importance of having effective powers of attorney for business purposes and medical purposes and well as directives to physicians and other advanced planning documents.   The passage of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has resulted in the need for another document which we refer to as the “HIPAA” release. We recommend that the HIPAA release be executed in addition to the medical power of attorney. The release allows the agent under your medical power to access medical records. In the absence of the release, access to medical records might be restricted or at least more difficult. We will be happy to assist you with the HIPAA Release and to answer any questions you have about this important document.