HIPAA authorization
Pronunciation: HIP-ah
Also written as: HIPAA — Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Written permission allowing disclosure of a patient's protected health information for purposes beyond treatment, payment, or operations.
Full Definition
A HIPAA authorization is a detailed written permission document that allows healthcare providers to use or disclose a patient's protected health information (PHI) for purposes beyond routine treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. In psychiatric settings, authorizations are commonly required for releasing records to family members, employers, attorneys, or other healthcare providers not directly involved in care. The authorization must specify what information will be disclosed, to whom, for what purpose, and include an expiration date. Patients retain the right to revoke authorization at any time, except when disclosure has already occurred.
Usage
Usage note: HIPAA is pronounced 'HIP-ah' not 'hi-PAH.' Always capitalize all letters.
In Context
- "The patient signed a HIPAA authorization allowing the psychiatrist to discuss treatment with her spouse." — Administrative documentation
- "Without valid HIPAA authorization, we cannot release psychiatric records to the patient's attorney." — Medical records request