Records Release to Medical Examiner

My office received a records release request from a medical examiner for a patient of ours whose death is "being investigated". Are we ok to send them if there is no signature on the authorization?

re: Records Release to Medical Examiner

check with legal

re: Records Release to Medical Examiner

(5) Public Interest and Benefit Activities. The Privacy Rule permits use and disclosure of protected health information, without an individual’s authorization or permission, for 12 national priority purposes.28 These disclosures are permitted, although not required, by the Rule in recognition of the important uses made of health information outside of the health care context. Specific conditions or limitations apply to each public interest purpose, striking the balance between the individual privacy interest and the public interest need for this information.

Decedents. Covered entities may disclose protected health information to funeral directors as needed, and to coroners or medical examiners to identify a deceased person, determine the cause of death, and perform other functions authorized by law.35

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/index.html


Charlene Endre-Burgett, MS, CMA (AAMA), CPC, CMSCS
Administrator, North Scottsdale Family Medicine
Blog: www.charleneburgett.wordpress.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/charleneburgett