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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]BEFORE THEY LEAVE be sure to have your child sign a HIPPA/FERPA release forms, medical power of attorney, and durable power of attorney in the event of hospitalization. If they are over 18, many states will not give you medical info if your child is over 18. Forms vary by state and are free to download.

"Three forms—HIPAA authorization, medical power of attorney, and durable power of attorney—will help facilitate the involvement of a parent or other trusted adult in a medical emergency.

If a student attends college out of state, fill out the forms relevant to the home state and school state to avoid any challenges. If the school has its own form, sign that one too, Warsh says. “When the doctor or medical institution sees it, you want them to be familiar with it and recognize it,” she says."

Keep scanned copies of the executed documents on your phone.

https://www.consumerreports.org/health-privacy/help-your-college-age-child-in-a-medical-emergency/

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New poster. THIS is the most important post on this whole thread. This matters infinitely more than Target runs or shower caddies. Don't let little details like those make you forget to do what this PP says. Especially now, in the age of Covid (and yes, it can and does sicken "healthy college-age adults" no matter how much you read otherwise on these forums), you absolutely as the parent need to have these documents done. Use an attorney if you can. We got one locally to do the medical and durable powers of attorney for around $150 total--easy, and we never even had to go to the attorney's office for it.

If your college age young adult is hospitalized -- not just for covid, but much more likely for something else -- you may rush there to find doctors will not give you any details and you have no authority to approve or disapprove treatments. Even if your student is on your health insurance, if he or she is 18 or older, they're a legal adult and your own insurance company paid for via your own employer is likely to say you cannot be given any information about treatment.

If you think this is overreacting, fine. I decided to get those things the PP lists last year after readiing real-life accounts here on DCUM about families where the parents were shut out of medical decisions when a college age child was incapacitated while at college.

These are easy documents to get, you just have to put in a little effort and TALK to your college student about them. Both your student and you (and spouse or other adult) need to have copies readily available to show hospitals, doctors and the school. [/quote]

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