A Message to Our Respected and Trusted Law Enforcement Officials, Medical Examiners, Court Officers, and Government Entities
Dear Law Enforcement Officials, Medical Examiners, Court Officers, and Government Entities:
As you’re likely aware, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has enacted the final 2024 HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy. McLaren Health Care is required to comply with this final rule by December 23, 2024.
The 2024 HIPAA Privacy Rule prohibits health care providers/facilities from:
- Using or disclosing certain types of patient protected health information (PHI) for the purpose of imposing or conducting an investigation to impose civil/criminal/administrative liability on any person for the mere act of seeking, obtaining, providing or facilitating lawful reproductive health care that was lawful under the circumstances it was provided, or for
- Using or disclosing PHI that be used to identify any individual for the purpose of imposing civil/criminal/ administrative liability for the mere act of seeking, obtaining, providing or facilitating lawful reproductive health care.
As required under the new HIPAA Privacy Rule, McLaren will be required to obtain a signed authorization for release of information from the patient or a signed attestation from any law enforcement official, medical examiner, health care oversight agency or judicial/court official who requests PHI potentially relating to reproductive health care prior to releasing patient records. Additional supporting documentation may also be requested.
McLaren appreciates your cooperation with these new Federal requirements.