HIPAA is an abbreviation for a federal law formally known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. This act generally prohibits a health care provider from giving any health information about one person to a second person, without a signed HIPAA Release.

A HIPAA release is a highly recommended document when considering estate planning.

When a HIPAA Release is signed by a person, it authorizes the disclosure of any information governed by HIPAA to be provided to the individuals named by the signer, usually a close relative such as a spouse and /or children. This includes health information and medical records regarding any past, present or future medical or mental health condition, including all information relating to the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, and drug or alcohol abuse.

The authority given to any named agent has no expiration date and shall expire only in the event that the maker signs a document in writing and delivers it to any health-care provider that has been previously notified of the HIPAA Release.