Sec. 2157.
Except as otherwise provided by law, a person duly authorized to practice medicine or surgery shall not disclose any information that the person has acquired in attending a patient in a professional character, if the information was necessary to enable the person to prescribe for the patient as a physician, or to do any act for the patient as a surgeon. If the patient brings an action against any defendant to recover for any personal injuries, or for any malpractice, and the patient produces a physician as a witness in the patient's own behalf who has treated the patient for the injury or for any disease or condition for which the malpractice is alleged, the patient shall be considered to have waived the privilege provided in this section as to another physician who has treated the patient for the injuries, disease, or condition. If a patient has died, the heirs at law of the patient, whether proponents or contestants of the patient's will, shall be considered to be personal representatives of the deceased patient for the purpose of waiving the privilege under this section in a contest upon the question of admitting the patient's will to probate. If a patient has died, the beneficiary of a life insurance policy insuring the life of the patient, or the patient's heirs at law, may waive the privilege under this section for the purpose of providing the necessary documentation to a life insurer in examining a claim for benefits.
History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 102, Eff. Sept. 1, 1989 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 205, Imd. Eff. Nov. 29, 1995
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 600 - Revised Judicature Act of 1961
Act 236 of 1961 - Revised Judicature Act of 1961 (600.101 - 600.9948)
236-1961-21 - Chapter 21 Evidence (600.2101...600.2169)
Section 600.2102 - Affidavit Taken in Other State or Country; Authentication.
Section 600.2103 - Judicial Records of Other States or Countries; Use as Evidence; Authentication.
Section 600.2104 - Judicial Records of Foreign Countries; Copies as Evidence.
Section 600.2105 - Judicial Records of Foreign Countries; Proof by Common Law Methods.
Section 600.2106 - Court Order, Judgment, or Decree of Court of Record; Certified Copy as Evidence.
Section 600.2107 - Public Records; Certified Transcript as Evidence.
Section 600.2108 - Secretary of State; Certificate of Nonexistence of Record.
Section 600.2109 - Recorded Conveyance and Instruments; Certified Copies.
Section 600.2111 - Certificate of Lost Paper as Evidence of Loss.
Section 600.2112 - Certificates of Justices of the Peace of Other States as Evidence.
Section 600.2113 - Constitution, Laws, and Resolutions; Official Publication as Evidence.
Section 600.2114 - Repealed. 1967, Act 178, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.
Section 600.2114a - Issues of Foreign Law; Notice; Evidence; Duties of Court; Review on Appeal.
Section 600.2115 - Repealed. 1967, Act 178, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.
Section 600.2117 - Device by Way of Seal as Evidence of Seal.
Section 600.2118 - Repealed. 1967, Act 178, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.
Section 600.2118a - Foreign Records and Laws; Evidence; Copies, Certification.
Section 600.2119 - Judgment; Record of Certified Copy as Evidence.
Section 600.2120, 600.2121 - Repealed. 1974, Act 297, Eff. Apr. 1, 1975.
Section 600.2122 - Certified as Evidence; United States Land Office Records.
Section 600.2124 - Certified Copies as Evidence; United States Weather Record.
Section 600.2125 - Proof of Publication; Notice of Application to Court or Judicial Officer.
Section 600.2126 - Proof of Publication; Notice of Sale of Real Property.
Section 600.2127 - Proof of Publication; Presumptive Evidence.
Section 600.2128 - Proof of Publication; Prima Facie Evidence.
Section 600.2131 - Written Instruments; Proof; Acknowledgment.
Section 600.2132 - Marriage Certificates and Records as Evidence.
Section 600.2133 - Marriage License or Certificate; Record as Evidence.
Section 600.2134 - Purchase of Public Lands; Certificates as Evidence.
Section 600.2135 - Breed of Horses; Evidence.
Section 600.2137 - Reproduction or Copy Admissible in Evidence.
Section 600.2139 - Seal; Presumptive Evidence of Consideration.
Section 600.2140 - Corporate Existence; Proof.
Section 600.2141 - Copartnership; Proof.
Section 600.2143 - Subscribing Witness to Instrument Need Not Be Called; Exception.
Section 600.2144 - Signature or Handwriting; Proof.
Section 600.2145 - Open Account or Account Stated; Proof, Counterclaim.
Section 600.2149 - Loss of Instrument; Proof and Disproof.
Section 600.2150 - Repealed. 1962, Act 174, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.
Section 600.2151 - Admission of Member of Corporation as Evidence.
Section 600.2152 - Mental Competency of Testator; Presumption.
Section 600.2153 - Public Officers; Administration of Oaths for Certain Purposes.
Section 600.2157 - Physician-Patient Privilege; Waiver.
Section 600.2157b - Confidential Communication to Crime Stoppers Organization; Definitions.
Section 600.2158 - Crime; Interest or Relationship of Witness, Effect.
Section 600.2160 - Repealed. 1967, Act 263, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.
Section 600.2161 - Cross Examination of Opposite Party or Agent.
Section 600.2162 - Husband or Wife as Witness for or Against Other.
Section 600.2163 - Repealed. 1998, Act 323, Imd. Eff. Aug. 3, 1998.
Section 600.2165 - Disclosure of Students' Records or Communications by School Teacher or Employee.
Section 600.2166 - Admissibility of Evidence in Action by or Against Person Incapable of Testifying.
Section 600.2167 - Repealed. 2014, Act 124, Imd. Eff. May 20, 2014.