ACCESS TO CLINICAL LABORATORY TEST RESULTS

In 1996 Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act includes Administrative Simplification which is intended to improve the communication of health information between medical providers and health plans, and also provided for security and privacy standards to protect the use and disclosure of health information about individuals.

When results are released to patients, Interpath Laboratory must follow state law and the HIPAA regulations. Applicable state laws are shown below. The HIPAA regulation states that Protected Health Information, which includes laboratory results, may only be released to a third party, such as a family member, with a signed authorization from the patient or legal representative. However, results may be released to another medical facility if they are needed in the course of treatment, without a signed authorization from the patient.

Applicable State Laws

Idaho

Patients may have results. Results may be released to a third party only with a signed authorization from the patient or the patient's legal representative.

Oregon

In accordance with ORS 438.430, patient's laboratory results may be released to the patient "not sooner than seven days after receiving a request from the patient." Click the link below to read Oregon House Bill 2631 which explains patients access to results in detail.

Oregon House Bill 2631

Washington

Patient may have results. Results may be released to a third party only with a signed authorization from the patient or the patient's legal representative.