Legal Question in Elder Law in Florida

Medical information is considered to be confidential, private information, available

to the individual or to someone authorized to receive such information, such as the

agent of a DPOA or a guardian. Some medical providers (physicians, assisted-care

facilities, hospitals) are very careful about such information. Some may provide

general information but will be cautious about specific information regarding

medical examinations, MRI's, disorders, mental exams, etc. This is one

reason that many families who do not have a POA for a family member

may have a guardian appointed. Most medical and health care providers will

provide such information to a spouse but not to other members of a family.

think of it this way - if you had a baby but did not want others to know because you gave it up for adoption, the medical records would show that you gave birth at some point in time. so if medical records were openly available - how would that make you feel.