Provided by:  Jennifer Kirschenbaum, Esq.

June 20, 2017

 

Question: 

Hi Jennifer

A former patient's new job is asking me to fill out a medical clearance form.  Am I authorized?

Thanks, 
Dr. K
 
Answer:

Not as I can tell from the information provided.  In order to disclose any information about a patient, or even the fact the patient is a patient of yours, you would need the patient's authorization (properly documented), or an official court order or other statutorily authorized disclosure for request.  Here, as far as I know, an employer reached out and sent you a form to fill in, which doesn't seem to fit into an approved release category without patient explicit consent...