With all the recent happenings to MJ (RIP), the media seems to be focused on obtaining his medical information such as past history, recent status, and autopsy, which I would assume is protected by HIPAA.
I’m asking this question because all sorts of medical information about MJ is being released by the media such as:
1. UCLA Medical acknowledging that MJ was at their facility.
2. UCLA Medical acknowledging MJ had a cardiac arrest.
3. UCLA Medical acknowledging that MJ passed away at their facility.
4. Coroner’s Office releasing information of the autopsy results.
5. Coroner’s Office planning to release toxicology results in 6-8 weeks.
Isn’t information like this protected by HIPAA?
I’m assuming someone from the Jackson family gave permission to release MJ’s medical information, or it would be a clear violation of HIPAA.
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Jermaine gave a press conference with all of the information that has been released by the hospital, so I assume the family has given permission for the release of all that information.
Cause and manner of death are listed on the death certificate, anyway, so most of the information is a matter of public record, or will be shortly.
* Edit– Death certificates, like birth certificates, are filed with the bureau of Vital Statistics. Each death certificate contains spaces for cause and manner of death. Cause of death would be something like “cardiac arrest” or “loss of blood” and might also say something like “secondary to overdose of drugs”. Manner of death would be “accident”, “suicide”, “homicide”. The death certificate also states the location of death, where it was pronounced. That information has nothing to do with HIPAA, and it applies to ALL deaths, not just that of celebrities.*
The patient has to sign a consent form.If not it is a violation of HIPPA