Are hospitals obligated under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to provide a patient with copies of her laboratory results, and can I, as her significant other, obtain her blood work without her signed authorization, given her 35‑year history of binge drinking and multiple emergency‑room visits for alcohol‑related symptoms?

Patient Rights to Medical Records Under HIPAA

Yes, hospitals are legally required to provide your relative with copies of her blood work and all other medical records upon her request, but you cannot obtain these records without her written authorization. 1

Patient's Right to Access Records

Under HIPAA and CLIA regulations, your relative has an absolute right to:

• Request and receive copies of all completed laboratory test reports directly from the hospital or laboratory, including blood work from every emergency department visit 1
• Access these records within 30 days of her request (some states require faster turnaround) 2
• Designate someone else (including you) to receive copies on her behalf, but only with her written authorization 1

The 2014 CLIA final rule specifically removed barriers that previously existed, giving patients direct access to lab results without requiring physician intermediation. This was designed to "empower [patients] to take a more active role in managing their health and health care." 1

Your Access as a Significant Other

You cannot obtain her medical records without her explicit written permission. 3

• HIPAA strictly protects patient confidentiality, and being a significant other does not grant you legal access to protected health information 3
• Even spouses and family members require written authorization from the patient to access medical records 2
• Healthcare providers face serious penalties for unauthorized disclosure, with minimum fines of $100 per violation up to $50,000 per violation 4

Practical Steps You Can Take

Encourage her to request her own records:

• She should contact the medical records department at each hospital where she's been treated and submit a written request for all laboratory results and visit records 1
• Most hospitals now have patient portals that provide immediate electronic access to test results—help her set one up 5
• She can authorize you in writing to receive copies or to help her access her portal 1

Address the underlying medical concern:

• After 35 years of binge drinking, liver damage (cirrhosis, hepatitis, elevated liver enzymes) is highly probable, even without visible jaundice 3
• Poor sleep and not feeling well are concerning symptoms that warrant comprehensive evaluation including liver function tests (AST, ALT, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, PT/INR), complete blood count, and metabolic panel
• Alcohol use disorder requires medical intervention beyond emergency department visits for acute intoxication 3

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not attempt to obtain records without authorization:

• Calling hospitals claiming to be her or misrepresenting your relationship violates federal law 4
• Healthcare workers are trained to verify identity and authorization before releasing any information 3

Do not assume hospitals are "ignoring" her:

• Frequent ED visits for alcohol intoxication are documented, and blood work is routinely performed to assess for complications 3
• If she claims "my stats are perfect," she either has access to results (contradicting her statement about not having them) or is not requesting them 1
• Emergency departments have legal and ethical obligations to provide appropriate care regardless of visit frequency 3

The Real Issue

The core problem is not access to records—it's untreated alcohol use disorder. 3

• Her statement that she "suddenly didn't feel drunk" suggests tolerance, a hallmark of severe alcohol dependence
• 35 years of binge drinking with dozens of ED visits indicates life-threatening addiction requiring specialized treatment, not just laboratory monitoring
• Focus your efforts on encouraging her to seek addiction treatment rather than obtaining blood work, as the latter will only confirm what is already clinically evident: she needs comprehensive alcohol treatment to prevent mortality from continued drinking 3