Ohio Adopts Standard Authorization Forms for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information

In January, the Ohio legislature adopted two standard authorization forms for use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI).  These forms comply with both HIPAA and federal substance abuse treatment laws.  The purpose of the forms is to improve care coordination across multiple providers by making it easier to share PHI in a secure manner, according to the Ohio Department of Medicaid.  Ohio law does not require a health care provider to use these forms.  However, a health care provider must accept these forms if they are properly executed.  The requirement to accept these forms went into effect on Feb. 2, 2019.