Medical Records Authorization (HIPAA)

AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (HIPAA) — WASHINGTON

This Authorization is executed in connection with a personal-injury matter so that the Patient and/or the Patient's attorney may obtain the Patient's medical records.

1. PATIENT IDENTIFICATION

2. PROVIDER(S) AUTHORIZED TO RELEASE RECORDS

I authorize the following health-care provider(s), facility(ies), clinic(s), pharmacy(ies), laboratory(ies), insurer(s), or custodian(s) of records to release the Protected Health Information ("PHI") described below:

3. RECIPIENT(S) — PERSON(S) AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE RECORDS

4. RECORDS AUTHORIZED FOR RELEASE

Date range of records: [__/__/____] to [__/__/____] (or ☐ all dates).

Check each category of records to be released:

• ☐ Complete medical record / designated record set
• ☐ History and physical examination reports
• ☐ Office/progress/treatment notes
• ☐ Hospital and emergency department records
• ☐ Operative and surgical reports
• ☐ Physician orders
• ☐ Laboratory and pathology reports
• ☐ Radiology/imaging reports and films (X-ray, MRI, CT, mammogram, ultrasound)
• ☐ Physical therapy / rehabilitation records
• ☐ Prescription and pharmacy/medication records
• ☐ Billing statements, itemized charges, and payment records
• ☐ Diagnostic test results
• ☐ Discharge summaries
• ☐ Other (specify): [________________________________]

5. SPECIAL-CATEGORY RECORDS — SEPARATE SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED

The following categories are protected by heightened confidentiality rules. They will NOT be released unless the Patient specifically initials the corresponding line below. My initials authorize release of that specific category to the Recipient(s) named in Section 3:

42 C.F.R. Part 2 notice (substance use disorder records): Federal law (42 C.F.R. Part 2) prohibits any further disclosure of substance use disorder records unless the further disclosure is expressly permitted by the written consent of the person to whom they pertain or as otherwise permitted by 42 C.F.R. Part 2. A general authorization for release of medical or other information is NOT sufficient for this purpose. The federal rules restrict any use of the information to criminally investigate or prosecute any patient with a substance use disorder.

6. PURPOSE OF DISCLOSURE

The purpose of this disclosure is:

• ☐ Legal representation / evaluation, prosecution, or settlement of the Patient's personal-injury claim
• ☐ At the request of the Patient
• ☐ Other (specify): [________________________________]

7. HIPAA REQUIRED STATEMENTS

7.1 Expiration. This Authorization expires on [__/__/____], or upon the following event: [________________________________]. If no date or event is specified, this Authorization expires upon final resolution of the Patient's personal-injury claim or three (3) years from the date of signature, whichever occurs first.

7.2 Right to Revoke. I understand that I may revoke this Authorization at any time by delivering written notice to the provider/custodian identified in Section 2. Revocation will not apply to information already released in reliance on this Authorization before the provider receives my written revocation. (45 C.F.R. § 164.508(c)(2)(i); RCW 70.02.040.)

7.3 No Conditioning of Treatment. I understand that the provider may not condition treatment, payment, enrollment, or eligibility for benefits on whether I sign this Authorization, except as permitted by 45 C.F.R. § 164.508(b)(4).

7.4 Redisclosure Notice. I understand that information disclosed under this Authorization may be redisclosed by the Recipient and may then no longer be protected by HIPAA. (Special-category records under Section 5 remain subject to the redisclosure prohibitions of 42 C.F.R. Part 2 and applicable Washington law.)

7.5 Right to a Copy. I understand that I am entitled to a copy of this signed Authorization.

7.6 Voluntary. I understand that signing this Authorization is voluntary.

8. WASHINGTON COPY-FEE AND RESPONSE-TIME NOTE

Under RCW 70.02.080 (Uniform Health Care Information Act), a health-care provider must, upon a patient's written request, permit the patient to examine and copy the patient's recorded health-care information and must act on the request as promptly as required under the circumstances, but no later than fifteen (15) working days after receiving the request.

• A provider may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for providing copies. The Washington Department of Health publishes maximum per-page copy charges (and a clerical/handling allowance) that are adjusted periodically for inflation; confirm the current published amounts before billing.
• No fee may be charged where another law (state or federal) requires the records to be furnished without charge (for example, certain Social Security benefit appeals under RCW 70.02.030).

Under the HIPAA right of access (45 C.F.R. § 164.524), a covered entity must generally act on a request within 30 days (with one 30-day extension on notice). Where state and federal timelines differ, the shorter applicable period generally controls.

9. SIGNATURE

Personal Representative (if Patient is a minor, incapacitated, or deceased)

Notary (optional)

State of Washington, County of [________________________].

Subscribed and sworn to before me on [__/__/____] by [________________________________].

Sources and References

• HIPAA authorization core elements — 45 C.F.R. § 164.508: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/164.508
• HIPAA right of access — 45 C.F.R. § 164.524: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/164.524
• Substance use disorder records — 42 C.F.R. Part 2: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-2
• RCW ch. 70.02 (Uniform Health Care Information Act): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.02&full=true
• RCW 70.02.080 (patient's examination and copying): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.02.080
• RCW 70.02.230 (mental health services, confidentiality of records): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.02.230
• RCW 70.02.220 (sexually transmitted diseases — disclosures): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.02.220