CAN A SPOUSE VIOLATE HIPPA LAW BY TELLING FAMILY MEMBERS THE SPOUSE IS IN THE HOSPITAL?

[ear]

can a spouse tell family members the their spouse is in the hospital

[gobrwy]

Nope. HIPAA only applies to medical personnel. Nobody else. Anyone caring for the patient, handling medical records, etc. Family members do not apply.

[garret]

Of course they can. They are not bound by HIPPA laws at all. It only applies to health care providers and others in the medical "industry".

[kyledyr]

Telling people someone is in the hospital is NOT a HIPAA violation.

[broehain61]

HIPPA is for privacy/confidentiality between patient and physician. If the patient chooses to share that info with their spouse it is only bound by the strength of the relationship, not by law. So yes a person can tell family members about their spouse being hospitalized. But hopefully if the ill person requests the info to not be shared the spouse would obey.

[chason62]

I can't imagine how crazy life would be if we all had to abide by the HIPAA laws. No one would be able to visit us in the hospital or pick us up at the Drs. office. No one would find out about the birth of our children, etc. etc. etc. LOL