Q&A: Disclosures to unmarried partners

Q: What are the HIPAA rules regarding disclosures of health information to a patient’s same-sex partner when the couple is not married or the partner is not considered a relative under the law?

A: Follow the rules for disclosing information to a friend or family member of a competent adult. The patient may direct his or her caregivers to share limited information verbally with the partner. If the patient wants the partner to have access to his or her medical record, the patient should sign an authorization for disclosure form.

Editor's note: Mary D. Brandt, MBA, RHIA, CHE, CHPS is a healthcare consultant specializing in healthcare regulatory compliance and operations improvement. She is also an advisory board member for BOH. This information does not constitute legal advice.