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The Oklahoma State Board of Health today approved a new standardized medical authorization form for use in sharing patient medical information among health care providers in Oklahoma. The form was developed to meet the need for uniformity and eliminate confusion regarding the authorization of release of patient information as required by state and federal privacy and privilege laws.

"We are hopeful that health care providers will move quickly to use this Oklahoma Standard Authorization Form whenever they use or share protected health information," said Secretary of Health and Commissioner of Health Dr. Michael Crutcher. "The new form simplifies the exchange of health care information and protects from liability the health care provider who releases information as authorized by the patient."

While health care providers are not required to use the form, they are required to honor it. The Oklahoma Standard Authorization Form and instructions for completing and using the form can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Health Web site at www.health.ok.gov.

The need for a single standard authorization form for use across jurisdictional lines within Oklahoma was identified by the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC) project, a national security and privacy collaboration created by a federal grant and implemented by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The HISPC Steering Committee developed the Oklahoma Standard Authorization Form with input from patients, hospitals, medical professionals, attorneys, health claim payers, tribal agencies, and state government agencies.

For more information about the Oklahoma Standard Authorization Form, contact OSDH Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Privacy Officer Robn Green at (405) 271-9444, extension 56519.