Asset Protection Attorney in Arizona

Medical Directives for Young Adults

Young adults should be protected after they turn 18 and before heading off to college.

HIPAA Authorization Form and Medical
and Financial Powers of Attorney

Once a child is over 18 years old, parents no longer have the automatic right to receive medical information about their child, or make decisions in the event of a medical emergency.

Parents should have a family discussion with their child about the necessity and benefits of executing a HIPPA Authorization Form and Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney.

In the event of an illness, injury, hospitalization, or incapacity, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) limits use, disclosure, and release of individually identifiable health information. Once a child reaches the age of 18, he or she is considered an adult and is entitled to all privacy protections afforded by the law. This includes privacy from parents or other guardians. This is true even if the parent provides the child with health insurance, claim the child as a dependent on tax forms, and are paying the bills.

While everyone hopes that their child will stay healthy and safe while at school, in the event of a physical, mental, or emotional injury or hospitalization, health care providers will not be able to share information with the parent. This can be make a difficult time more complicated and stressful for parents.

To alleviate such complication and stress, parents may ask their child to execute a HIPPA Authorization Form and Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney.

The HIPAA Authorization Form allows medical professionals to share general information such as diagnoses, medications, and test results with authorized individuals. This allows those authorized to communicate directly with doctors and obtain advice from doctors. Such communication and advice will be especially helpful if your child is out of state and the parent is deciding the necessity of traveling to be with and take care of the child.

The Medical Power of Attorney gives permission for the parent to act as the child’s medical agent. This allows the parent to participate in and make medical decisions with and for the child, as may be necessary and where the child is struggling or incapable of making such decisions for him/herself. Similarly, the Financial Power of Attorney gives permission for the parent to act as the child’s financial agent. The parent is then permitted to carry on financial affairs if the child becomes disabled, including accessing bank accounts, paying bills, and ensuring you’re the child does not fall behind on payments.

After the child has executed these forms, both the parent and the child should keep copies on hand in the event of a medical emergency. A copy should also be provided to the applicable University Student Health Center where the child attends school, the child’s local doctors, and the local hospital. Young adults should be protected after they turn 18 and before heading off to college. Kierman Law, PLC can help discuss these needs, explain the benefits and necessity of these forms, and prepare all necessary forms for Arizona families.

After the child has executed these forms, both the parent and the child should keep copies on hand in the event of a medical emergency. A copy should also be provided to the applicable University Student Health Center where the child attends school, the child’s local doctors, and the local hospital.

Young adults should be protected after they turn 18 and before heading off to college. Kierman Law, PLC can help discuss these needs, explain the benefits and necessity of these forms, and prepare all necessary forms for Arizona families.

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