Can I Contact My DH’s Doctor Directly?

jennybeeay

My husband has his own PCP and this doctor is very strict out privacy rules. In the past he has said I need to go through my DH if I want to send messages to him. What do I need to do to have the authority to speak with the doctor on my husband’s behalf? Is this when the DPOA comes in to play? Should I provide a copy to him?

Thanks for the input.

cdgbdr

I'm not sure what your entire situation is. My opinion is that you can contact him/her. I would suggest via portal or written communication, and then that doc can read it and be aware of your concerns. Your DH may have to approve 2way communication depending on how the POA is written and what your husband's condition is. Good luck.

sandwichone123

Refusing to receive information is not about federal privacy rules, it is about this provider's need for control. Privacy rules are about what people in healthcare can tell outsiders, not what information they can receive.

You might try using the POA for healthcare, but my sense is that you may need to change providers in order to have open information exchange.

jennybeeay

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/258569#Comment_258569

Thank you for your input. I can ask the PCP on Monday as we're having a joint phone call.

Thanks again..

jennybeeay

I may have mischaracterized this situation as it is also the PCP's communication to me without my husband being present. We are happy with this doctor so we don't want to change. I'll ask more questions of him in light of the latest comments from my DH's neurologist and see what he will need to allow me to have more control going forward.

Thanks for your response. It is much appreciated.

Chammer

I have medical POA in addition to DPOA for DH who isnt diagnosed w dementia (signs of it but no dx) DH has multiple medical problems and I go to all appointments now, complete paperwork, and basically act for him. DH has them use my cell phone and email as contact. There are information release forms that can be signed as well at your providers office that will allow provider to release information to anyone designated by the payient. Ive only had to use the medical POA when dealing w insurance company and in picking up copies of medical records to sign the relepatient when DH wasnt w me. I keep a copy on my phone and in email so I can send or show immediately if needed.

H1235

I would think they should be able to talk with you if you provide a medical poa. They may just want your husband to sign a hipaa release form. I would just tell your husband that you need to know what is happening with his health if there were some kind of accident or something. In my experience you would not want to give your husband too much information about talking with the doctor “behind his back”. As far as communicating I have found the patient portal worked well, but if he is still able to use that for himself, that might not work. You could also try bringing a note to the office. In my experience this give you a chance to think through all that you want to say and you are not bringing up things in front of your husband that would upset him. I agree with chamber that it is probably a good idea to have your phone as contact for all doctors. When mom was diagnosed the neurologist linked her patient portal to mine so I could access everything easily (thankfully mom agreed to this). I can definitely see where all this might be a bit more complicated with a husband vs an elderly parent.

SDianeL

DPOA is for financial and you could sign for memory care with it. For medical you need a DPOA-HC which the doctor should accept. If you don’t have a Medical DPOA and your husband can still sign papers, ask the doctors office for a HIPPA form adding your name to his file.

jennybeeay

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/258586#Comment_258586

This is just what I needed! Thank you so much for this information! Did you need an attorney to draw up the POA?

jennybeeay

Thank you for your comments. We have a phone call set up with my DH doctor tomorrow so I will discuss this issue then.

Much appreciate your information!

jennybeeay

Will do!! Thanks so much!!

jennybeeay

Thank you for responding. I believe I need to get a medical POA now so that I’m covered for many types of medical & insurance situations. We have a phone call set up with the PCP tomorrow so I can also talk to him then with my DH.

Thanks again!

harshedbuzz

@jennybeeay

HIPAA prevents 2-way communication with the doctor; he is still legally able to accept information from you in terms of reporting things like new symptoms or non-compliance with medical advise. Your DH could complete a HIPAA release form which would manage the legal piece to this. That said, if your DH is still competent to be in charge of his own care, the doctor should defer to his wishes. One easy work around is to attend all appointments and raise questions then assuming it would damage your relationship with DH.

A DPOA may, or may not, allow you to be your DH's legal proxy on medical decisions. What does it say? The doctor, or his legal representative, would want a copy to vet it.

HB

MN Chickadee

In my experience, it was all about a waiver form that the clinic/health system had, one that they created. I had mom with Alz sign their form early on saying they could communicate with me and it laid out the ways they could (we checked privately and without her present etc) and then we were good to go. I never had to prove I was POA although I did submit the POA documents to them anyway. I have also done this internal waiver form with my dad who does not have dementia but is elderly and needs help navigating health care. I call to talk to his doctors, and also log into his online account and message providers and schedule appointments for him. If you are uneasy bringing up the subject in front of you DH in this group phone call, maybe call the clinic or health system and ask what they require for this and work behind the scenes a bit.

jennybeeay

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/258616#Comment_258616

Thanks so much for your response. You sound very knowledgeable. I will discuss the HIPPAA release form with my husband and doctor today when we speak. Hopefully both parties will be on board. Also, since first writing, I’ve learned that in California that the Advance Health Care Directive is what I need. Our attorney is finishing up this document and DH will be signing it shortly.

This online community is such a blessing. Thank you for your support.

jennybeeay

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/258623#Comment_258623

Thank so much for your input. I will pursue release forms at the local hospital and clinic after I deal with his PCP. Another member on this site said that I need to fill out a HIPPA release form for his PCP which sounds good to me. I’m glad to know that you haven’t encountered any major roadblocks in overseeing your parents’ care. It sounds like you have your hands full.

All the best.

H1235

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/258675#Comment_258675

My moms local hospital also accepted and scanned a copy of all the legal documents into the system. That way his advanced directives are in the system and you wouldn’t have to worry about providing them in an emergency. I’m glad you are getting everything figured out.

jennybeeay

That's a great plan. Thank you for confirming this. I'm feeling better already about not being questioned when I step in for my DH at a later stage in his care.