poa nursing home medical privacy act

My sister-in-law is medical power of attorney for my mother-in-law. My mother has alzhimers and is in a nursing home. On a recent visit my mother-in-law was doing poorly. We called a week later to see how she was and they refused to tell us. My sister-in-law who is poa, came to the nursing home and took her to the hospital. We called the nursing home to inquire if she was taken to the hospital and they refused to give that information. They said they could only give that info to the poa. My husband was very upset of course. His sister and he does not get along and she has stopped informing us when the mother is sick. Could they have at least told us she was taken to a hospital? We live in the state of Indiana. Do we have any rights here?

[tigger22472]

Originally Posted by roseebeegood

My sister-in-law is medical power of attorney for my mother-in-law. My mother has alzhimers and is in a nursing home. On a recent visit my mother-in-law was doing poorly. We called a week later to see how she was and they refused to tell us. My sister-in-law who is poa, came to the nursing home and took her to the hospital. We called the nursing home to inquire if she was taken to the hospital and they refused to give that information. They said they could only give that info to the poa. My husband was very upset of course. His sister and he does not get along and she has stopped informing us when the mother is sick. Could they have at least told us she was taken to a hospital? We live in the state of Indiana. Do we have any rights here?

I also live in Indiana and in fact also work in a nursing home. In the past year things have drastically changed when it comes to issues like this. With the new HIPPA laws now there really is little you can do. The fact that she has alzheimer prevents her from being able to sign a release to allow you to be given information. On top of all this legally if your SIL called the nursing home on the phone to inquire about MIL they aren't supposed to give out the info for they can't verify for sure it's her on the phone. Of course THEY can call her with info though. The HIPPA laws are basically as they always have.. it's the fact the government is imposing fines now. I do understand how you feel however. My niece was in the hospital and when her parents weren't there my husband would call and simply ask the nurse how she did through the night and they wouldn't even tell him that and all he wanted was a simple good or bad answer.