HIPAA Restrictions
From the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University. Emphasis mine.
Patients may access their own health records. The definition of “patient” also includes the surviving spouse, the parents of a deceased patient, or a person the patient appoints in writing as a legally recognized representative. Patients also have the right to amend their health records. Patients will be referred to their provider to discuss information maintained in their record.
A person may not access their spouse’s personal information without an authorization (or consent) from the patient.
A parent or legal guardian of a minor may access and authorize the release of the minor’s health information. However, if the minor is married, emancipated, has borne a child, or if the records in question concern venereal disease, chemical dependency, or pregnancy and related conditions, the parent or legal guardian may not access or release the minor’s health information without the minor’s express written consent.
What does this mean? If a husband is enrolled in a drug rehab program, the wife cannot access any information about the husband's completion/non-completion of the program until AFTER the husband has OD'ed.
More later.
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