Estate planning for licensed professionals -- such as doctors, psychologists, and other healthcare providers -- requires special consideration due to the strict confidentiality mandates of HIPAA.

Estate planning for licensed professionals -- such as doctors, dentists, psychologists, and other healthcare providers -- requires special consideration due to the strict confidentiality mandates of HIPAA. When preparing Wills, Trust, or Powers of Attorney, it's critical to ensure that any transfer of control over client records complies with federal privacy law. This means appointing fiduciaries who are not only trustworthy but also aware of their obligations to safeguard protected health information (PHI). Professionals should work with lawyers familiar with HIPAA to craft provisions that allow for the seamless, lawful transition of practice management in the event of incapacity or death. Failing to do so can risk privacy violations, disrupt client care, and create legal exposure for estates and successors.

If you're a healthcare provider and have questions about how your estate plan interacts with HIPAA's confidentiality rules, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.