DENTAL SERVICES: REVISE CRITERIA

FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION

House Bill 5874

Sponsor:  Rep. Jerry O. Kooiman

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 6-14-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5874 AS INTRODUCED 5-12-04

Under provisions of the Public Health Code, information pertaining to the care and services provided to a dental patient is confidential and privileged and generally can only be disclosed by a dentist or his or her employees with the written consent of the patient or his or her attorney or personal representative.  The code does allow some narrow exceptions, such as disclosure to a police agency under a court order as part of a criminal investigation.

House Bill 5874 would amend the code to eliminate the requirement for the patient’s written consent before information could be disclosed and instead would allow disclosure as permitted or required under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).

MCL 333.16648

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.