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- Each unit will verify the identity and authority of persons requesting PHI. Verification procedures should be reflected in policies and procedures accordingly.
- If the requesting person is a public official or someone acting on his or her behalf, units may rely upon the following:
- Agency identification badge, credentials or other proof of status;
- Government letterhead, if request is by letter;
- A written statement of the legal authority (or, if impracticable, an oral statement) under which the information is requested.
- If a request is made pursuant to a legal process, warrant, subpoena, order, or other legal process, it is presumed to constitute legal authority.
- For persons acting on behalf of the official, a written statement on government letterhead or other evidence or documentation that establishes that the person is acting under the public official's authority (such as contract for services, memo of understanding). In this event, units must contact the Office of Legal Management to inform of such request by Public Officials.
- A unit may rely on the exercise of professional judgment as to disclosures pursuant to facility directories, to persons involved in a patient's care or payment and notification, and in relation to disaster relief as discussed in section V.F.3 . and as to disclosures regarding serious threats to health and safety as discussed in EXHIBIT B.
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A. "Treatment" - the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services by one or more health care providers, includingincludes:
- the coordination or management of health care by a health care provider with a third party;
- consultation between health care providers relating to a patient; or
- the referral of a patient for health care from one health care provider to another.
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