Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires everyone in the military health system to safeguard and keep confidential patient health information.
A patient's health care information will not be released to anyone without an authorization from the patient or an exception to HIPAA.
Because commanders must know the fitness for duty status of their members, HIPAA allows for disclosures of health information of military members to commanders in limited circumstances to assure the proper execution of the military mission. The exception does not include family members, retirees or civilians.
HIPAA requires healthcare personnel to take reasonable steps to limit the use or disclosure of patient health care information.
A proper disclosure under HIPAA may include:
Diagnosis
Description of Planned Treatment
Impact on duty or mission
Recommended duty restrictions
Implications for safety of military member and others
