Immediate access to your medical records for the people you trust
HIPAA Authorization
A HIPAA authorization gives the people you trust access to your medical records right now, not just when you are incapacitated.
Without It, Even Your Spouse Cannot Get Information
Most people assume their spouse can call their doctor. Under federal law, they cannot, not without a signed HIPAA authorization on file. A medical Power of Attorney gives someone authority to make decisions when you are incapacitated. A HIPAA release is different. It gives the people you name access to your medical records and the right to talk with your doctors immediately, while you are healthy and competent. Every adult should have one.
Without a HIPAA authorization, federal law forbids your hospital from sharing your protected information, even with your spouse, even in an emergency. The release is what unlocks the conversation.
Why It Matters
A HIPAA release is one of the simplest and most overlooked documents in estate planning. It pairs with your medical Power of Attorney, your living will, and your mental health care POA so the people you trust can actually do the job you have asked them to do. It stays in effect until you choose to revoke it, and it works the moment a doctor or hospital sees it.
Most people assume their spouse can call their doctor. Under federal law, they cannot: not without a signed HIPAA authorization. It is one of the simplest documents in estate planning, and one of the most overlooked.
Why Every Adult Needs One
These situations make a HIPAA authorization especially important.
- Married Couples. Your spouse cannot access your medical information without written authorization, even in an emergency.
- Parents of Adult Children. Once your child turns 18, you lose the right to access their medical records or speak to their doctors.
- Caregivers. If you are coordinating care for someone, a HIPAA authorization lets you communicate directly with their medical team.
- Anyone with a Health Condition. If you are managing an ongoing condition, giving your family access to your records means they can step in quickly if needed.
Your First Step Starts Here
At our live, free estate planning seminars across Phoenix and Tucson, we walk you through how to protect you and your loved ones from probate. We give you a step-by-step plan that's simple and clear. Sign up today for peace of mind tomorrow.
Client Testimonials
Common Authorization to Physicians (HIPAA) Questions
Answers to the questions Arizona families ask most about authorization to physicians (hipaa).
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From the Blog
- What Happens to Your Family Without an Estate Plan in Arizona
Why a HIPAA release is one of the simplest and most overlooked documents in estate planning.
- What Happens to Your Digital Assets When You Die? Arizona's RUFADAA Law Explained
Companion authorization questions for the digital records your family needs to access.
- Trusts vs. Wills in Arizona: Key Differences Compared
Where a HIPAA release fits inside a complete estate plan, alongside the trust, will, and powers of attorney.
Glossary
- HIPAA Authorization
A federal release that lets the people you name access your protected health information and speak with your doctors.
- Medical Power of Attorney
Authority to make healthcare decisions for you when you cannot make them yourself. Works alongside a HIPAA release.
- Healthcare Directive
A document that records your wishes for medical treatment if you cannot speak for yourself.
- Mental Health Care Power of Attorney
Arizona-specific authority for mental and behavioral health decisions.
- Living Will
A written statement of your wishes for end-of-life medical care, often paired with a HIPAA release.
- Surrogate Decision Maker
The person legally authorized to make medical decisions for you when no other documents are in place.