Monthly Archives: February 2012

What is HIPAA?

H.I.P.A.A. stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The original purpose of this Act (established in 1996) was to limit access of insurance companies to your medical records, however it actually limits everyone’s access to your medical records , including:

  1. Spouses
  2. Parents
  3. Children

The HIPAA Authorization allows you to designate certain individuals to receive your protected medical information.

For more information about the HIPAA Authorization, please contact our estate planning attorney in Woodland Hills.

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What is an Advance Health Care Directive?

Formerly called a “Living Will” or “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care”, an Advance Health Care Directive allows us to deal with the situation where decisions regarding our healthcare need to be made and we are unable to communicate at that time.

The Advance Health Care Directive names an “Agent” (any person(s) of your choosing) to manage your medical and health care affairs in the event you are unable to express your preferences.  The medical professionals will make this determination.

This document, like the Durable Power of Attorney is fully revocable and amendable.

For additional advice and information about an Advance Health Care Directive, please contact our estate panning attorney in Los Angeles today.

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