Sam was sick, really sick and had to be checked into the hospital. His significant other, Sade, was by his side all the time. Sam started running a fever and was delirious. Sade wanted to know what was going on, but the doctor couldn’t tell her. If only Sam had signed a HIPAA waiver.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) also contained language to make it harder to share mental and physical health information.

So, to be able to share medical information with other people, you have to sign a waiver.

Why? If you give somebody else the power to make medical decisions, they should probably be able to look at your chart and medical history so they can make better decisions.