Congratulations to all the proud parents of recent high school graduates! So far, you have had an all-access pass to their life, allowing you to speak with their teachers, view their grades, and even accompany them to the doctor. Most of those privileges, however, come to an abrupt halt once your child turns 18. At 18, they are legally considered an adult, even if they sometimes do not act like one. As an adult, HIPAA protects your child’s medical information, including from YOU. “But,” you say, “They are on MY Health Insurance Plan!” Paying your child’s health insurance premium does not give you access to their medical records.
If your child experiences a health emergency as an adult, you may not be able to access their doctors, test results, or even their hospital room without proper documentation. In this case, the proper documentation is a Healthcare Power of Attorney, or “HCPOA.” An HCPOA is a legal document created and signed by an adult that designates who may access their protected health information, such as test results and diagnoses, and who may make medical decisions on their behalf if the need arises. If your son or daughter is over 18 and does not have a Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA), creating one with the assistance of a licensed attorney should be a priority.
Contact Jacob Frizado at jfrizado@pselaw.com or 937.223.1130 to begin preparing an HCPOA today.
