PA HIPAA Authorization for Family

HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 C.F.R. § 164) blocks disclosure of medical information without authorization. Pennsylvania residents should pair their advance directive with a HIPAA authorization.

Why both

A healthcare POA authority only activates on incapacity. A HIPAA authorization lets named family get information at any time — vital for daily caregiving and adult-children scenarios.

Form requirements

Specific authorized recipients, types of information disclosed, purpose, expiration date, and an explicit revocation provision.

Common companion

Sign at the same sitting as the healthcare POA. Keep copies with each named recipient and the primary care physician.