Can a primary physician request records for patient from another without signature the patient?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires that healthcare providers obtain a patient's written authorization before releasing their protected health information (PHI) to another provider. This applies even if the request for records comes from another physician.

In some cases, however, a healthcare provider may be able to disclose a patient's PHI without authorization if the disclosure is for a "treatment purpose." This includes sharing information with other healthcare providers who are directly involved in the patient's care. For example, if a patient sees a specialist for a specific medical condition, the specialist may be able to request the patient's records from their primary physician without the patient's signature.

However, even in these cases, the healthcare provider must make a reasonable effort to obtain the patient's authorization before disclosing their PHI. This may involve sending the patient a notice of the disclosure or posting a notice in the healthcare provider's office.

If you have concerns about the privacy of your medical records, you should talk to your healthcare provider. You can also file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) if you believe that your HIPAA rights have been violated.