Subdivision 1. Release or disclosure of health records. Health records can be released or disclosed as specified in subdivisions 2 to 9 and sections 144.294 and 144.295.
Subd. 2. Patient consent to release of records. A provider, or a person who receives health records from a provider, may not release a patient's health records to a person without:
(1) a signed and dated consent from the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative authorizing the release;
(2) specific authorization in law; or
(3) a representation from a provider that holds a signed and dated consent from the patient authorizing the release.
Subd. 3. Release from one provider to another. A patient's health record, including, but not limited to, laboratory reports, x-rays, prescriptions, and other technical information used in assessing the patient's condition, or the pertinent portion of the record relating to a specific condition, or a summary of the record, shall promptly be furnished to another provider upon the written request of the patient. The written request shall specify the name of the provider to whom the health record is to be furnished. The provider who furnishes the health record or summary may retain a copy of the materials furnished. The patient shall be responsible for the reasonable costs of furnishing the information.
Subd. 4. Duration of consent. Except as provided in this section, a consent is valid for one year or for a period specified in the consent or for a different period provided by law.
Subd. 5. Exceptions to consent requirement. (a) This section does not prohibit the release of health records:
(1) for a medical emergency when the provider is unable to obtain the patient's consent due to the patient's condition or the nature of the medical emergency;
(2) to other providers within related health care entities when necessary for the current treatment of the patient; or
(3) to a health care facility licensed by this chapter, chapter 144A, and chapter 144G, or to the same types of health care facilities licensed by this chapter and chapter 144A that are licensed in another state when a patient:
(i) is returning to the health care facility and unable to provide consent; or
(ii) who resides in the health care facility, has services provided by an outside resource under Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.75(h), and is unable to provide consent.
(b) A provider may release a deceased patient's health care records to another provider for the purposes of diagnosing or treating the deceased patient's surviving adult child.
Subd. 6. Consent does not expire. Notwithstanding subdivision 4, if a patient explicitly gives informed consent to the release of health records for the purposes and restrictions in clause (1), (2), or (3), the consent does not expire after one year for:
(1) the release of health records to a provider who is being advised or consulted with in connection with the releasing provider's current treatment of the patient;
(2) the release of health records to an accident and health insurer, health service plan corporation, health maintenance organization, or third-party administrator for purposes of payment of claims, fraud investigation, or quality of care review and studies, provided that:
(i) the use or release of the records complies with sections 72A.49 to 72A.505;
(ii) further use or release of the records in individually identifiable form to a person other than the patient without the patient's consent is prohibited; and
(iii) the recipient establishes adequate safeguards to protect the records from unauthorized disclosure, including a procedure for removal or destruction of information that identifies the patient; or
(3) the release of health records to a program in the welfare system, as defined in section 13.46, to the extent necessary to coordinate services for the patient.
Subd. 7. Exception to consent. Subdivision 2 does not apply to the release of health records to the commissioner of health or the Health Data Institute under chapter 62J, provided that the commissioner encrypts the patient identifier upon receipt of the data.
Subd. 8. Record locator or patient information service. (a) A provider or group purchaser may release patient identifying information and information about the location of the patient's health records to a record locator or patient information service without consent from the patient, unless the patient has elected to be excluded from the service under paragraph (d). The Department of Health may not access the record locator or patient information service or receive data from the service. Only a provider may have access to patient identifying information in a record locator or patient information service. Except in the case of a medical emergency, a provider participating in a health information exchange using a record locator or patient information service does not have access to patient identifying information and information about the location of the patient's health records unless the patient specifically consents to the access. A consent does not expire but may be revoked by the patient at any time by providing written notice of the revocation to the provider.
(b) A health information exchange maintaining a record locator or patient information service must maintain an audit log of providers accessing information in the service that at least contains information on:
(1) the identity of the provider accessing the information;
(2) the identity of the patient whose information was accessed by the provider; and
(3) the date the information was accessed.
(c) No group purchaser may in any way require a provider to participate in a record locator or patient information service as a condition of payment or participation.
(d) A provider or an entity operating a record locator or patient information service must provide a mechanism under which patients may exclude their identifying information and information about the location of their health records from a record locator or patient information service. At a minimum, a consent form that permits a provider to access a record locator or patient information service must include a conspicuous check-box option that allows a patient to exclude all of the patient's information from the service. A provider participating in a health information exchange with a record locator or patient information service who receives a patient's request to exclude all of the patient's information from the service or to have a specific provider contact excluded from the service is responsible for removing that information from the service.
Subd. 9. Documentation of release. (a) In cases where a provider releases health records without patient consent as authorized by law, the release must be documented in the patient's health record. In the case of a release under section 144.294, subdivision 2, the documentation must include the date and circumstances under which the release was made, the person or agency to whom the release was made, and the records that were released.
(b) When a health record is released using a representation from a provider that holds a consent from the patient, the releasing provider shall document:
(1) the provider requesting the health records;
(2) the identity of the patient;
(3) the health records requested; and
(4) the date the health records were requested.
Subd. 10. Warranties regarding consents, requests, and disclosures. (a) When requesting health records using consent, a person warrants that the consent:
(1) contains no information known to the person to be false; and
(2) accurately states the patient's desire to have health records disclosed or that there is specific authorization in law.
(b) When requesting health records using consent, or a representation of holding a consent, a provider warrants that the request:
(1) contains no information known to the provider to be false;
(2) accurately states the patient's desire to have health records disclosed or that there is specific authorization in law; and
(3) does not exceed any limits imposed by the patient in the consent.
(c) When disclosing health records, a person releasing health records warrants that the person:
(1) has complied with the requirements of this section regarding disclosure of health records;
(2) knows of no information related to the request that is false; and
(3) has complied with the limits set by the patient in the consent.
2007 c 147 art 10 s 4; 1Sp2010 c 1 art 20 s 7; 2015 c 71 art 2 s 4; art 8 s 19,20; 7Sp2020 c 1 art 6 s 25
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 144 — Department Of Health
Section 144.011 — Department Of Health.
Section 144.05 — General Duties Of Commissioner; Reports.
Section 144.0505 — Cooperation With Commissioner Of Human Services.
Section 144.051 — Data Relating To Licensed And Registered Persons.
Section 144.052 — Use Of Data.
Section 144.0525 — Epidemiologic Studies; Health Hazards; Health Surveillance.
Section 144.053 — Research Studies Confidential.
Section 144.0535 — Entry For Inspection.
Section 144.054 — Subpoena Power.
Section 144.055 — Home Safety Programs.
Section 144.056 — Plain Language In Written Materials.
Section 144.057 — Background Studies On Licensees And Other Personnel.
Section 144.058 — Interpreter Services Quality Initiative.
Section 144.059 — Palliative Care Advisory Council.
Section 144.06 — State Commissioner Of Health To Provide Instruction.
Section 144.061 — Early Dental Prevention Initiative.
Section 144.062 — Vaccine Cost Reduction Program.
Section 144.064 — The Vivian Act.
Section 144.065 — Prevention And Treatment Of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Section 144.07 — Powers Of Commissioner.
Section 144.0721 — Assessments Of Care And Services To Nursing Home Residents.
Section 144.0724 — Resident Reimbursement Classification.
Section 144.074 — Funds Received From Other Sources.
Section 144.0742 — Contracts For Provision Of Public Health Services.
Section 144.0751 — Health Standards.
Section 144.077 — Mobile Health Care Providers.
Section 144.09 — Cooperation With Federal Authorities.
Section 144.092 — Coordinated Nutrition Data Collection.
Section 144.10 — Federal Aid For Maternal And Child Welfare Services.
Section 144.111 — Rules, Notice Published.
Section 144.12 — Regulation, Enforcement, Licenses, Fees.
Section 144.1201 — Definitions.
Section 144.1202 — United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement.
Section 144.1203 — Training; Rulemaking.
Section 144.1204 — Surety Requirements.
Section 144.1205 — Radioactive Material; Special Nuclear Material.
Section 144.121 — X-ray Machines; Other Sources Of Ionizing Radiation.
Section 144.1212 — Notice To Patient; Mammogram Results.
Section 144.1215 — Authorization To Use Handheld Dental X-ray Equipment.
Section 144.122 — License, Permit, And Survey Fees.
Section 144.1222 — Public Pools; Enclosed Sports Arenas.
Section 144.1225 — Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services.
Section 144.123 — Fees For Diagnostic Laboratory Services; Exceptions.
Section 144.125 — Tests Of Infants For Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.1251 — Newborn Screening For Critical Congenital Heart Disease (cchd).
Section 144.1255 — Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.128 — Commissioner's Duties.
Section 144.14 — Quarantine Of Interstate Carriers.
Section 144.145 — Fluoridation Of Municipal Water Supplies.
Section 144.1461 — Dignity In Pregnancy And Childbirth.
Section 144.1464 — Summer Health Care Interns.
Section 144.1465 — Finding And Purpose.
Section 144.147 — Rural Hospital Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.1476 — Rural Pharmacy Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.148 — Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program.
Section 144.1481 — Rural Health Advisory Committee.
Section 144.1482 — Office Of Rural Health.
Section 144.1483 — Rural Health Initiatives.
Section 144.1485 — Database On Health Personnel.
Section 144.1492 — State Rural Health Network Reform Initiative.
Section 144.1493 — Nursing Grant Program.
Section 144.1501 — Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program.
Section 144.1505 — Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1506 — Primary Care Residency Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1911 — International Medical Graduates Assistance Program.
Section 144.1912 — Greater Minnesota Family Medicine Residency Grant Program.
Section 144.193 — Inventory Of Biological And Health Data.
Section 144.212 — Definitions.
Section 144.213 — Office Of Vital Records.
Section 144.2131 — Security Of Vital Records System.
Section 144.215 — Birth Registration.
Section 144.2151 — Record Of Birth Resulting In Stillbirth.
Section 144.216 — Foundling Registration.
Section 144.217 — Delayed Records Of Birth.
Section 144.218 — Replacement Birth Records.
Section 144.2181 — Amendment And Correction Of Vital Records.
Section 144.221 — Death Registration.
Section 144.2215 — Minnesota Birth Defects Information System.
Section 144.2216 — Birth Defects Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.2217 — Classification Of Birth Defects Information.
Section 144.2218 — Transfers Of Information To Other Government Agencies.
Section 144.2219 — Transfers Of Information To Research Entities.
Section 144.222 — Reports Of Fetal Or Infant Death.
Section 144.223 — Report Of Marriage.
Section 144.225 — Disclosure Of Information From Vital Records.
Section 144.2252 — Access To Original Birth Record After Adoption.
Section 144.2255 — Certified Birth Record For Homeless Youth.
Section 144.29 — Health Records; Children Of School Age.
Section 144.291 — Minnesota Health Records Act.
Section 144.292 — Patient Rights.
Section 144.293 — Release Or Disclosure Of Health Records.
Section 144.294 — Records Relating To Mental Health.
Section 144.295 — Disclosure Of Health Records For External Research.
Section 144.296 — Copies Of Videotapes.
Section 144.297 — Independent Medical Examination.
Section 144.30 — Copies Of Records Evidence In Juvenile Court.
Section 144.32 — False Statements Cause For Discharge.
Section 144.334 — Right To Request Patient Information.
Section 144.3345 — Interconnected Electronic Health Record Grants.
Section 144.3351 — Immunization Data.
Section 144.3352 — Hepatitis B Maternal Carrier Data; Infant Immunization.
Section 144.336 — Registry Of Persons Typed For Human Leukocyte Antigens.
Section 144.34 — Investigation And Control Of Occupational Diseases.
Section 144.341 — Living Apart From Parents And Managing Financial Affairs.
Section 144.342 — Marriage Or Giving Birth, Consent For Health Service For Self Or Child.
Section 144.343 — Pregnancy, Venereal Disease, Alcohol Or Drug Abuse, Abortion.
Section 144.344 — Emergency Treatment.
Section 144.3441 — Hepatitis B Vaccination.
Section 144.345 — Representations To Persons Rendering Service.
Section 144.346 — Information To Parents.
Section 144.347 — Financial Responsibility.
Section 144.35 — Pollution Of Water.
Section 144.36 — Appeal To District Court.
Section 144.37 — Other Remedies Preserved.
Section 144.382 — Definitions.
Section 144.383 — Authority Of Commissioner.
Section 144.384 — Notice Of Violation.
Section 144.385 — Public Notice.
Section 144.3855 — Limitation.
Section 144.3872 — Female Genital Mutilation; Education And Outreach.
Section 144.391 — Public Policy.
Section 144.392 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.393 — Public Communications Program.
Section 144.394 — Health Promotion And Education.
Section 144.396 — Tobacco Use Prevention.
Section 144.397 — Statewide Tobacco Cessation Services.
Section 144.412 — Public Policy.
Section 144.413 — Definitions.
Section 144.414 — Prohibitions.
Section 144.416 — Responsibilities Of Proprietors.
Section 144.4165 — Tobacco Products Prohibited In Public Schools.
Section 144.4167 — Permitted Smoking.
Section 144.417 — Commissioner Of Health, Enforcement, Penalties.
Section 144.4172 — Definitions.
Section 144.4173 — Cause Of Action.
Section 144.4176 — Petition; Notice.
Section 144.4177 — Time Of Hearing And Duties Of Counsel.
Section 144.4178 — Criminal Immunity.
Section 144.4179 — Standard Of Proof; Evidence.
Section 144.4182 — Temporary Emergency Hold.
Section 144.4183 — Emergency Hold Hearing.
Section 144.4184 — Contact Data.
Section 144.4186 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.419 — Isolation And Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4195 — Due Process For Isolation Or Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4196 — Employee Protection.
Section 144.4197 — Emergency Vaccine Administration; Legend Drug.
Section 144.4198 — Mass Dispensing Under Authority Of Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.4199 — Public Health Response Contingency Account.
Section 144.441 — Tuberculosis Screening In Schools.
Section 144.442 — Testing In School Clinics.
Section 144.445 — Tuberculosis Screening In Correctional Institutions.
Section 144.4803 — Definitions.
Section 144.4804 — Reporting Relating To Tuberculosis.
Section 144.4805 — Health Order; Rights Of Carrier And Respondent.
Section 144.4806 — Preventive Measures Under Health Order.
Section 144.4807 — Notice Of Obligation To Isolate Or Examine.
Section 144.4808 — Apprehend And Hold Order.
Section 144.4809 — Preliminary Hearing.
Section 144.4810 — Final Hearing.
Section 144.4811 — Periodic Review And Release From Detention.
Section 144.4812 — Costs Of Care.
Section 144.4813 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.49 — Violations; Penalties.
Section 144.492 — Definitions.
Section 144.494 — Designating Stroke Centers And Stroke Hospitals.
Section 144.4941 — St Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (stemi) Receiving Centers.
Section 144.495 — Formaldehyde Rules.
Section 144.496 — Minnesota Radon Awareness Act.
Section 144.4961 — Minnesota Radon Licensing Act.
Section 144.497 — St Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
Section 144.50 — Hospitals, Licenses; Definitions.
Section 144.51 — License Applications.
Section 144.55 — Licenses; Issuance, Suspension And Revocation.
Section 144.5509 — Radiation Therapy Facility Construction.
Section 144.551 — Hospital Construction Moratorium.
Section 144.552 — Public Interest Review.
Section 144.553 — Alternative Approval Process.
Section 144.554 — Health Facilities Construction Plan Submittal And Fees.
Section 144.561 — Description Of Certain Medical Facilities.
Section 144.562 — Swing Bed Approval; Issuance Of License Conditions.
Section 144.563 — Nursing Services Provided In A Hospital; Prohibited Practices.
Section 144.564 — Monitoring Of Subacute Or Transitional Care Services.
Section 144.565 — Diagnostic Imaging Facilities.
Section 144.566 — Violence Against Health Care Workers.
Section 144.572 — Institutions Excepted.
Section 144.573 — Pets In Certain Institutions.
Section 144.574 — Dangers Of Shaking Infants And Young Children.
Section 144.58 — Information, Confidential.
Section 144.581 — Hospital Authorities.
Section 144.585 — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Control Programs.
Section 144.586 — Requirements For Certain Notices And Discharge Planning.
Section 144.591 — Disclosure Of Hospital Charges.
Section 144.602 — Definitions.
Section 144.603 — Statewide Trauma System Criteria.
Section 144.604 — Trauma Triage And Transportation.
Section 144.605 — Designating Trauma Hospitals.
Section 144.606 — Interhospital Transfers.
Section 144.6062 — Comprehensive Advanced Life Support.
Section 144.6071 — Trauma Registry.
Section 144.608 — Trauma Advisory Council.
Section 144.611 — Captioning Required.
Section 144.615 — Birth Centers.
Section 144.6501 — Nursing Home Admission Contracts.
Section 144.6502 — Electronic Monitoring In Certain Facilities.
Section 144.6503 — Facilities For Alzheimer's Disease Or Related Disorder.
Section 144.6505 — Subacute Care Waivers.
Section 144.651 — Health Care Bill Of Rights.
Section 144.6512 — Retaliation In Nursing Homes Prohibited.
Section 144.652 — Bill Of Rights Notice To Patient Or Resident; Violation.
Section 144.6521 — Disclosure Of Financial Interest.
Section 144.6522 — Designation Of A Caregiver.
Section 144.653 — Rules; Periodic Inspections; Enforcement.
Section 144.6535 — Variance Or Waiver.
Section 144.654 — Experts May Be Employed.
Section 144.655 — Program For Voluntary Medical Aid.
Section 144.656 — Employees To Be Compensated.
Section 144.657 — Volunteer Efforts Encouraged.
Section 144.658 — Epidemiologic Data Discovery.
Section 144.6581 — Determination Of Whether Data Identifies Individuals.
Section 144.6585 — Identification Of Health Care Providers.
Section 144.6586 — Notice Of Rights To Sexual Assault Victim.
Section 144.661 — Definitions.
Section 144.662 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Registry.
Section 144.663 — Duty To Report.
Section 144.664 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.665 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Data.
Section 144.671 — Cancer Surveillance System; Purpose.
Section 144.672 — Duties Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 144.68 — Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.69 — Classification Of Data On Individuals.
Section 144.691 — Grievance Procedures.
Section 144.696 — Definitions.
Section 144.697 — General Powers And Duties Of State Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.698 — Reporting Requirements.
Section 144.699 — Continuing Analysis.
Section 144.70 — Biennial Report.
Section 144.701 — Rate Disclosure.
Section 144.702 — Hospital And Outpatient Surgical Center Costs.
Section 144.7022 — Reporting Organizations; Penalty Orders.
Section 144.703 — Additional Powers.
Section 144.7055 — Staffing Plan Reports.
Section 144.7063 — Definitions.
Section 144.7065 — Facility Requirements To Report, Analyze, And Correct.
Section 144.7067 — Commissioner Duties And Responsibilities.
Section 144.7068 — Reports From Licensing Boards.
Section 144.7069 — Interstate Coordination; Reports.
Section 144.71 — Purpose; Definitions.
Section 144.73 — State Commissioner Of Health, Duties.
Section 144.74 — Rules, Standards.
Section 144.7401 — Definitions.
Section 144.7402 — Conditions For Applicability Of Procedures.
Section 144.7403 — Information Required To Be Given To Individuals.
Section 144.7404 — Disclosure Of Positive Blood-borne Pathogen Test Results.
Section 144.7405 — Consent Procedures Generally.
Section 144.7406 — Testing Of Available Blood.
Section 144.7407 — Blood Sample Collection For Testing.
Section 144.7408 — No Discrimination.
Section 144.7409 — Use Of Test Results.
Section 144.7411 — Test Information Confidentiality.
Section 144.7412 — Penalty For Unauthorized Release Of Information.
Section 144.7413 — Responsibility For Testing And Treatment; Costs.
Section 144.7414 — Protocols For Exposure To Blood-borne Pathogens.
Section 144.7415 — Penalties And Immunity.
Section 144.84 — Civil Service Classification.
Section 144.91 — Powers And Duties.
Section 144.92 — Grants Or Gifts.
Section 144.945 — Zika Preparedness And Response.
Section 144.95 — Mosquito Research Program.
Section 144.9501 — Definitions.
Section 144.9502 — Statewide Lead Surveillance System.
Section 144.9503 — Primary Prevention.
Section 144.9504 — Secondary Prevention.
Section 144.9505 — Credentialing Of Lead Firms And Professionals.
Section 144.9507 — Lead-related Funding.
Section 144.9509 — Enforcement.
Section 144.9512 — Lead Abatement Program.
Section 144.9513 — Healthy Housing Grants.
Section 144.966 — Early Hearing Detection And Intervention Program.
Section 144.98 — Accreditation Of Environmental Laboratories.
Section 144.989 — Title; Citation.
Section 144.991 — Administrative Penalty Order Procedure.
Section 144.992 — False Information.
Section 144.993 — Recovery Of Litigation Costs And Expenses.
Section 144.995 — Definitions; Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring.
Section 144.996 — Environmental Health Tracking; Biomonitoring.
Section 144.997 — Biomonitoring Pilot Program.
Section 144.998 — Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring Advisory Panel.