HIPAA authorization

A HIPAA authorization is a detailed document that gives someone else permission to access your personal health information (PHI).

A HIPAA (opens in new tab) authorization is a detailed document that gives someone else permission to access your protected health information (PHI) (opens in new tab) for specific purposes. The most common reason you’d sign a HIPAA authorization is to allow a family member or close friend to help manage your care directly with a doctor or insurance company.

HIPAA authorizations contain a bunch of required information, including:

A description of the PHI to be used and disclosed.
Who will receive access to your PHI.
An expiration date for access.

Once an authorization has been submitted, the person authorized to access your information will be able to discuss your PHI until the authorization expires.

If you have a dependent under the age of 18 on your policy, there’s certain information you can’t access without their authorization. Check with your insurer to get the details for your state.