Bill Text: TX SB1872 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the medical authorization required to release protected health information in a health care liability claim.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-23 - Referred to Health & Human Services [SB1872 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB1872-Introduced.html
  85R9206 CAE-F
 
  By: Creighton S.B. No. 1872
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the medical authorization required to release protected
  health information in a health care liability claim.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 74.052(c), Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The medical authorization required by this section
  shall be in the following form and shall be construed in accordance
  with the "Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health
  Information" (45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164).
  AUTHORIZATION FORM FOR RELEASE OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
  Patient Name:______ Patient Place of Birth:________
  Patient Address:
  ____________ Street_________________ City, State, ZIP
  Patient Telephone:__________ Patient E-mail:_________
         NOTICE TO PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: THIS
  AUTHORIZATION FORM HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
  PURSUANT TO SECTION 74.052, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE. YOU
  ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE MEDICAL AND BILLING RECORDS AS
  REQUESTED IN THIS AUTHORIZATION.
         A.  I, __________ (name of patient or authorized
  representative), hereby authorize __________ (name of physician or
  other health care provider to whom the notice of health care claim
  is directed) to obtain and disclose (within the parameters set out
  below) the protected health information and associated billing
  records described below for the following specific purposes (check
  all that apply):
               [ ] [1.] To facilitate the investigation and evaluation
  of the health care claim described in the accompanying Notice of
  Health Care Claim.[; or]
               [ ] [2.] Defense of any litigation arising out of the
  claim made the basis of the accompanying Notice of Health Care
  Claim.
               [ ] Other - Specify:_________________
         B.  The health information to be obtained, used, or disclosed
  extends to and includes the verbal as well as [the] written and
  electronic and is specifically described as follows:
               1.  The health information and billing records in the
  custody of the [following] physicians or health care providers who
  have examined, evaluated, or treated __________ (patient) in
  connection with the injuries alleged to have been sustained in
  connection with the claim asserted in the accompanying Notice of
  Health Care Claim.
               Names and current addresses of treating physicians or
  health care providers:
               1.__________________________
               2.__________________________
               3.__________________________
               4.__________________________
               5.__________________________
               6.__________________________
               7.__________________________
               8._______________________ [(Here list the name and
  current address of all treating physicians or health care
  providers).]
         This authorization shall extend to any additional physicians
  or health care providers that may in the future evaluate, examine,
  or treat __________ (patient) for injuries alleged in connection
  with the claim made the basis of the attached Notice of Health Care
  Claim;
               2.  The health information and billing records in the
  custody of the following physicians or health care providers who
  have examined, evaluated, or treated __________ (patient) during a
  period commencing five years prior to the incident made the basis of
  the accompanying Notice of Health Care Claim.
               Names [(Here list the name] and current addresses
  [address] of treating [such] physicians or health care providers,
  if applicable:[.)]
               1.                        
               2.                        
               3.                        
               4.                        
               5.                        
               6.                        
               7.                        
               8.                        
         C.  Exclusions
               1.  Providers excluded from authorization.
         The [Excluded Health Information--the] following constitutes
  a list of physicians or health care providers possessing health
  care information concerning __________ (patient) to whom [which]
  this authorization does not apply because I contend that such
  health care information is not relevant to the damages being
  claimed or to the physical, mental, or emotional condition of
  __________ (patient) arising out of the claim made the basis of the
  accompanying Notice of Health Care Claim. List the names [(Here
  state "none" or list the name] of each physician or health care
  provider to whom this authorization does not extend and the
  inclusive dates of examination, evaluation, or treatment to be
  withheld from disclosure, or state "none":
               1.__________________________
               2.__________________________
               3.__________________________
               4.__________________________
               5.__________________________
               6.__________________________
               7.__________________________
               8.__________________________[.)]
               2.  By initialing below, the patient or patient's
  personal or legal representative excludes the following
  information from this authorization:
               ________ HIV/AIDS test results and/or treatment
               ________ Drug/alcohol/substance abuse treatment
               ________ Mental health records (mental health records
  do not include psychotherapy notes)
               ________ Genetic information (including genetic test
  results)
         D.  The persons or class of persons to whom the patient's
  health information and billing records [of __________ (patient)]
  will be disclosed or who will make use of said information are:
               1.  Any and all physicians or health care providers
  providing care or treatment to __________ (patient);
               2.  Any liability insurance entity providing liability
  insurance coverage or defense to any physician or health care
  provider to whom Notice of Health Care Claim has been given with
  regard to the care and treatment of __________ (patient);
               3.  Any consulting or testifying experts employed by or
  on behalf of __________ (name of physician or health care provider
  to whom Notice of Health Care Claim has been given) with regard to
  the matter set out in the Notice of Health Care Claim accompanying
  this authorization;
               4.  Any attorneys (including secretarial, clerical,
  experts, or paralegal staff) employed by or on behalf of __________
  (name of physician or health care provider to whom Notice of Health
  Care Claim has been given) with regard to the matter set out in the
  Notice of Health Care Claim accompanying this authorization;
               5.  Any trier of the law or facts relating to any suit
  filed seeking damages arising out of the medical care or treatment
  of __________ (patient).
         E.  This authorization shall expire upon resolution of the
  claim asserted or at the conclusion of any litigation instituted in
  connection with the subject matter of the Notice of Health Care
  Claim accompanying this authorization, whichever occurs sooner.
         F.  I understand that, without exception, I have the right to
  revoke this authorization in writing. I further understand the
  consequence of any such revocation as set out in Section 74.052,
  Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
         G.  I understand that the signing of this authorization is
  not a condition for continued treatment, payment, enrollment, or
  eligibility for health plan benefits.
         H.  I understand that information used or disclosed pursuant
  to this authorization may be subject to redisclosure by the
  recipient and may no longer be protected by federal HIPAA privacy
  regulations.
         Name of Patient
         ____________________
         Signature of Patient/Personal or Legal Representative
         __________
         [Date
         [__________
         [Name of Patient/Representative
         [__________]
         Description of Personal or Legal Representative's Authority
         __________
         Date
         _______________
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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