Patient Permission: When Should I Obtain It?

As a rule, you must only use or share patient information with some form of permission. Either the patient must give you permission or you must be given permission via provisions in local, state or federal law. For information on permissions granted by law such as for treatment, payment and healthcare operations, go to HIPAA Learning Module Using and Disclosing Health Information.

Obtaining Patient Permission

In many situations, patient permission for the release of information must be obtained in the form of a written authorization. In other situations where there may be verbal sharing of information, for instance, with a patient's family members or friends, patient permissions must be obtained when the health care professional gives the patient an opportunity to agree or object to the disclosure.

For information on when written authorization from the patient must be obtained, go to HIPAA Learning Module Authorization Requirements.

For information on sharing or release of information prohibited by law, go to HIPAA Learning Module Using Disclosing Health Information

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