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  1. HHS
  2. HIPAA Home
  3. For Professionals
  4. FAQ
  5. 475-Is a copy, facsimile, or electronically transmitted version of a signed authorization valid
  • Authorizations (30)
  • Business Associates (41)
  • Compliance Dates (2)
  • Covered Entities (14)
  • Decedents (9)
  • Disclosures for Law Enforcement Purposes (5)
  • Disclosures for Rule Enforcement (1)
  • Disclosures in Emergency Situations (2)
  • Disclosures Required by Law (6)
  • Disclosures to Family and Friends (28)
  • Disposal of Protected Health Information (6)
  • Facility Directories (7)
  • Family Medical History Information (3)
  • FERPA and HIPAA (10)
  • Group Health Plans (3)
  • Health Information Technology (41)
  • Incidental Uses and Disclosures (10)
  • Judicial and Administrative Proceedings (8)
  • Limited Data Set (6)
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  • Marketing - Refill Reminders (16)
  • Mental Health (35)
  • Minimum Necessary (14)
  • Notice of Privacy Practice (20)
  • Personal Representatives and Minors (12)
  • Preemption of State Law (10)
  • Privacy Rule: General Topics (12)
  • Protected Health Information (2)
  • Public Health Uses and Disclosures (13)
  • Research Uses and Disclosures (20)
  • Right to Access and Research (58)
  • Right to an Accounting of Disclosures (8)
  • Right to File a Complaint (1)
  • Right to Request a Restriction (3)
  • Safeguards (13)
  • Security Rule (24)
  • Smaller Providers and Businesses (145)
  • Student Immunizations (8)
  • Telehealth (11)
  • Transition Provisions (3)
  • Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations Disclosures (30)
  • Workers Compensation Disclosures (5)

Is a copy, facsimile, or electronically transmitted version of a signed authorization valid under the Privacy Rule?

Answer:

Yes. Under the Privacy Rule, a covered entity may use or disclose protected health information pursuant to a copy of a valid and signed Authorization, including a copy that is received by facsimile or electronically transmitted.

Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Content last reviewed January 9, 2023
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