HIPAA and Access to Medical Information by Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices.

Often, medical staff and sometimes their attorneys mistakenly believe that HIPAA prevents disclosure of medical records to medical examiner and coroner offices. Medical examiner and coroner government offices are not covered entities. Moreover, HIPAA specifically allows disclosure to law enforcement, public health, and medical examiner and coroners. However, state and Joint Commission requirements may further impact disclosures.