A HIPAA Authorization lets you designate who can access your medical information if you cannot communicate. Without this document, hospitals and doctors CANNOT share information about your health — not even with your spouse or adult children. It is an essential document every California adult over 18 should have alongside their medical Power of Attorney. Bilingual, ready in minutes.
EVERY adult over age 18. It is especially urgent for: parents with college-age children (without HIPAA, the hospital cannot share information about your 18+ year-old child), unmarried partners (who are not legal family by default), seniors living alone, and anyone traveling without family. HIPAA is the federal law that protects medical privacy — and when you cannot speak for yourself, that protection can leave your family without information in an emergency. The HIPAA Authorization lifts that barrier specifically for the people you designate.
California has medical privacy laws STRICTER than federal HIPAA — the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA, California Civil Code §§56.10). Our HIPAA Authorization complies with BOTH laws so it is accepted by any California medical provider. It is a separate document from the Advance Health Care Directive (which designates who makes decisions); HIPAA grants access to information, AHCD grants authority to make decisions. Ideally you should have both.
No. HIPAA grants ACCESS to medical information. The Advance Health Care Directive (Medical Power of Attorney) grants authority to MAKE medical decisions. We recommend having both.
No, not automatically. HIPAA protects ALL patients, including from their own family members. Without a signed HIPAA Authorization, the hospital can refuse to share information with your spouse.
You decide. It can be permanent (until revoked), for a specific event (a surgery), or for a period (one year). Most common is permanent with the right to revoke at any time.
Yes, at any time, in writing. Notify your medical provider and the authorized persons.
Only $49. An essential service most people do not have until it is too late.
Multi Servicios 360 is a self-help legal document preparation platform. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.
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