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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Mama Bear is a brand.
Started by a mom (attorney I think?) who saw a void in the market to fill…and that is: providing and compiling legal for families to fill out with their adult college students as a “just in case” measure so that if your 18-22 year old kid (who is legally an adult but emotionally not all that adult-ish) gets into a medical emergency situation, you (as parent) can step in to handle and/or support. As prior posters explained, they are basically POA forms and such—but it allows you to speak to their doctors and/or get information as needed if they are medically incapacitated.

You may never need this at all.
But [b]many people falsely assume that if their kid gets into some situation where they need medical attention, they will easily be able ti get i formation and step in to help. But without POA, that info is protected and HIPAA will prevent medical professionals from sharing that information about your adult child[/b].

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Parents, please heed the bold above. It's so simple just to get a legal POA and also a medical POA. Do not assume that "I'm a parent, this is my kid, of course I'll have a say if kid is in the hospital...." No you won't necessarily have any say at all. Eighteen is considered an adult -- even if your child is on your health insurance plan. Do not assume that just because your kid of 18+ is covered by mom or dad's insurance, that means mom or dad will simply be given medical information or the right to make decisions for an incapacitated college student. A sympathetic doctor [i]might[/i] confer with you, but does not have to do so--unless you have the right medical documents in place. Sure, you likely won't ever need to think about all this. But if your family becmes the rare exception, do you really want to realize too late that you needed one of these docs?

Never heard of Mama Bear. Fine if they make things easier. Many local lawyers can draw up these docs for very little money, too. [/quote]

Neither of you above have clue about HIPPA. Please do a simple Google search and educate yourself:

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/faq/index.html

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/faq/524/if-i-am-unconscious-can-my-health-care-provider-still-share-my-health-information-with-family/index.html

[/quote]

The links you provided confirms that pp is correct — sharing information with a parent is entirely discretionary to the Doctor and on a “need to know basis.” Do you really want to take the gamble that the hospital is going to decide that it’s in your kid’s best interest to talk to you and that you “need to know?” Or would you rather have documents that clarify your authority?

I have a POA & HIPAA waiver for my spouse; why wouldn’t I have them for my kid?

From your second link:

If you are not around or cannot give permission, [b]your health care provider may share or discuss your health information with family, friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care if he or she believes, in his or her professional judgment, that it is in your best interest. [/b] When someone other than a friend or family member is asking about you, your health care provider must be reasonably sure that you asked the person to be involved in your care or payment for your care.  Your health care provider may share your information face to face, over the phone, or in writing, but [b]may only share the information that the family member, friend, or other person needs to know about your care[/b] or payment for your care. [/quote]

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