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HIPAA Disclosure to Law Enforcement

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, protected health information (PHI) is available to law enforcement officials under certain circumstances. In most cases, information received by law enforcement officials must remain confidential.

  1. Written Request to Release

    • If the written request is a court order or warrant, PHI must be released in full. If the request is to be used to find a suspect in a crime, only limited information is required to be released.

    Crime Victim Release

    • If the victim of a crime agrees, his PHI can be released to law enforcement officials as long as the information isn't used against him.

    Medical Facility Release

    • If a medical facility suspects abuse, neglect or domestic violence in a patient, the facility may release PHI to law enforcement officials.

      If a knife or gunshot wound is treated, many states require the medical facility to release PHI to law enforcement officials.

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