HIPAA Authorization Form: How to Ensure You Can Help Your Adult College Kids in the Event of a Medical Emergency

medical record

Ohio HIPAA Authorization Form

hipaa release form medical informationParents spend their entire lives worrying about, and trying to protect their children.  When they are younger, we try to teach them the necessary skills they will need to become a successful adult, and above all, keep them safe.

In Ohio, once a person turns 18 years old, they are no longer considered a “child” in the eyes of the law, though, for a parent, they will always be considered such.  Therefore, imagine the potential nightmare that could occur if your young, adult child were to be involved in an accident leaving them incapacitated, and the medical staff informs you that they cannot give you any information due to HIPPA regulations.

Download a sample Medical Information HIPAA Release Form For Your Adult Child To Complete

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that safeguards who can access an adult’s private health information. Under this, a covered entity cannot technically share an adult’s medical data with others unless specifically authorized by the patient to do so.  Of course, like all things, there are exceptions to this rule.

According to 45 C.F.R. 164.510(b), a covered entity is allowed to … Read More... “HIPAA Authorization Form: How to Ensure You Can Help Your Adult College Kids in the Event of a Medical Emergency”

Ohio Domestic Relations and Juvenile Forms Translated in Five Languages

Ohio Supreme Court Translates Domestic Relations and Juvenile Standardized Forms into Spanish, Russian, French, Chinese, and Arabic For Public Download

ohio domestic relations formsOver the years, the U.S. Department of Justice has fashioned several consent decrees with several states and has negotiated with them to meet their obligation to provide language access.  Ohio has been active for years in supporting the rights of people in the court system whose English ability is limited.

Last month, the Ohio Supreme Court expanded these services and translated more than two dozen domestic relations and juvenile forms in five additional languages.  The translated forms allow parties with limited English to have a better understanding of court cases involving children and families.

The forms  are now also available in the most used languages in Ohio, including Spanish, Russian, French, Chinese, and Arabic.  When individuals need a domestic relations form in one of these languages, they can click on “Select Another Language.”  There they can find both a Word document and PDF file in the languages.

The Domestic Relations Forms 1-28 and Juvenile Forms 1-10 (DR forms 19-28) are available, by clicking on this link in an interactive PDF format so they may be completed online and printed.  … Read More... “Ohio Domestic Relations and Juvenile Forms Translated in Five Languages”

Parent Questionnaire and Information Sheet

Completing the Parent Questionnaire/Information Sheet in Your Divorce

parentIf you are a resident of the State of Ohio and the County of Montgomery, Rule 4.28 of the Local Rules of the Domestic Relations Court, reflects that the “Court requires that all parties in divorce or legal separation cases involving minor children, complete and return to the Court a Parent Questionnaire and Information Sheet prior to the final hearing in the proceeding. What information is addressed by the Parent Questionnaire and Information Sheet?

The Court is making inquiry regarding certain basic information from each party:

A.  Personal Information. The Court is seeking information as to the party’s mailing address, telephone number(s), current position of employment, current work schedule, employment history, and name and phone number of the party’s attorney.

How could this information be useful to the Court? The Court would see “red flags” if a party is without current employment as issues would be raised as to child support and spousal support. The Court would be much happier to see that both parties are gainfully employed with decent incomes.

B.  Marital History. Have the parties been involved with other separations or divorces? Who left home first? What have … Read More... “Parent Questionnaire and Information Sheet”

Get Your Ex’s Consent To Travel Abroad With Your Minor Child, Avoid Feeling Like You Just Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel!

child_travel.jpgIf you are planning a foreign vacation this summer, you had better plan ahead to determine all the necessary travel documents that you will need.  This can be a much more complex issue than one might think.  A good place to start is the U.S. Department of State International Travel website or you can call them at (877) 487-2778.

I do not intend to try to outline all the various documents required for each international destination, but rather to alert our readers of a requirement that is more obscure.  In recent years, concerns about international child abductions have increased; and as a result, new travel restrictions have been imposed including border officials becoming much more cautious when they encounter a child traveling without both biological parents.  Just having a child’s birth certificate is not enough.  It is wise to bring a copy of the legal custody orders with you.  But in addition, did you realize that a child departing the U.S. and traveling with only one parent, grandparents, a guardian, or another adult or group, must have a notarized Travel Consent Authorization document from both birth parents or legal guardians?

This is true even if you are planning a quick … Read More... “Get Your Ex’s Consent To Travel Abroad With Your Minor Child, Avoid Feeling Like You Just Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel!”

New Military Survivor Benefit Election (SBP) Procedure

benefits.jpgI hate to get too technical, but I recently learned that there has been a significant change in the manner in which the Defense and Accounting Service will allow a continuation of payments to a former spouse after the military member/retiree dies. This SBP procedure used to be simple for the attorney. Previously, all that was needed was a timely letter from the attorney to DFAS requesting the election along with a copy of the court order and decree.

Guess what? After September 27, 2008, the ONLY manner such a survivor benefit election can be accomplished is by submitting to DFAS a completed DD 2656-10 form along with a copy of the decree. If the old approach is utilized, the election will NOT be valid. Click here to see a memo from the Under Secretary of Defense dated May 30. 2008, indicating the change.

The time perimeters have not changed. If the member/retiree requests the coverage, the deadline is one year from the date of the divorce. If the former spouse requests the coverage, she must send in this DD 2656-10 form within one year of the filing of the court order terminating the marriage.

Our law firm handles many … Read More... “New Military Survivor Benefit Election (SBP) Procedure”

Vacationing Without the Kids? Don’t Leave Until You Have Prepared an Emergency Medical Authorization Form

med_form.jpgI typically receive several phone calls this time of year asking me if I have a generic Emergency Medical Authorization Form that parents can complete since they are headed out of town without the kids. This panicked call usually comes less than 24 hours before the departure time! It is very important to leave the caregiver this type of emergency authorization to be sure any necessary medical treatment will be provided to your child timely and without lots of “red tape” in your absence. So, to avoid those calls, I have attached my Emergency Medical Authorization Form to this article.  Download: .pdf | HTML

Try to relax and enjoy the time away from the kids. Happy travels!

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