Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a familiar element of medical care, requiring a permission from the patient to release medical information to someone else. In Life and Estate Planning there are many instances when an Agent, a Trustee or the Administrator of an Estate might need access to that information. Having a release authorizing these disclosure is a crucial piece of a well-executed plan.