12-2294.01. Release of medical records or payment records to third parties pursuant to subpoena

A. A subpoena seeking medical records or payment records shall be served on the health care provider and any party to the proceedings at least ten days before the production date on the subpoena.

B. A subpoena that seeks medical records or payments records must meet one of the following requirements:

1. The subpoena is accompanied by a written authorization signed by the patient or the patient's health care decision maker.

2. The subpoena is accompanied by a court or tribunal order that requires the release of the records to the party seeking the records or that meets the requirements for a qualified protective order under the health insurance portability and accountability act privacy standards (42 Code of Federal Regulations section 164.512(e)).

3. The subpoena is a grand jury subpoena issued in a criminal investigation.

4. The subpoena is issued by a health profession regulatory board as defined in section 32-3201.

5. The health care provider is required by another law to release the records to the party seeking the records.

C. If a subpoena does not meet one of the requirements of subsection B of this section, a health care provider shall not produce the medical records or payment records to the party seeking the records, but may either file the records under seal pursuant to subsection D of this section, object to production under subsection E of this section or file a motion to quash or modify the subpoena under rule 45 of the Arizona rules of civil procedure.

D. It is sufficient compliance with a subpoena issued in a court or tribunal proceeding if a health care provider delivers the medical records or payment records under seal as follows:

1. The health care provider may deliver by certified mail or in person a copy of all the records described in the subpoena by the production date to the clerk of the court or tribunal or if there is no clerk then to the court or tribunal, together with the affidavit described in paragraph 4 of this subsection.

2. The health care provider shall separately enclose and seal a copy of the records in an inner envelope or wrapper, with the title and number of the action, name of the health care provider and date of the subpoena clearly inscribed on the copy of the records. The health care provider shall enclose the sealed envelope or wrapper in an outer envelope or wrapper that is sealed and directed to the clerk of the court or tribunal or if there is no clerk then to the court or tribunal.

3. The copy of the records shall remain sealed and shall be opened only on order of the court or tribunal conducting the proceeding.

4. The records shall be accompanied by the affidavit of the custodian or other qualified witness, stating in substance each of the following:

(a) That the affiant is the duly authorized custodian of the records and has authority to certify the records.

(b) That the copy is a true complete copy of the records described in the subpoena.

(c) If applicable, that the health care provider is subject to the confidentiality requirements in 42 United States Code sections 290dd-3 and 290ee-3 and applicable regulations and that those confidentiality requirements may apply to the requested records. The affidavit shall request that the court make a determination, if required under applicable federal law and regulations, as to the confidentiality of the records submitted.

(d) If applicable, that the health care provider has none of the records described or only part of the records described in the subpoena.

5. The copy of the records is admissible in evidence as provided under rule 902(11), Arizona rules of evidence. The affidavit is admissible as evidence of the matters stated in the affidavit and the matters stated are presumed true. If more than one person has knowledge of the facts, more than one affidavit may be made. The presumption established by this paragraph is a presumption affecting the burden of producing evidence.

E. If a subpoena does not meet one of the requirements of subsection B of this section or if grounds for objection exist under rule 45 of the Arizona rules of civil procedure, a health care provider may file with the court or tribunal an objection to the inspection or copying of any or all of the records as follows:

1. On filing an objection, the health care provider shall send a copy of the objection to the patient at the patient's last known address, to the patient's attorney if known and to the party seeking the records, unless after reasonable inquiry the health care provider cannot determine the last known address of the patient.

2. On filing the objection, the health care provider has no further obligation to assert a state or federal privilege pertaining to the records or to appear or respond to a motion to compel production of records, and may produce the records if ordered by a court or tribunal. If an objection is filed, the patient or the patient's attorney is responsible for asserting or waiving any state or federal privilege that pertains to the records.

3. If an objection is filed, the party seeking production may request an order compelling production of the records. If the court or tribunal issues an order compelling production, a copy of the order shall be provided to the health care provider. On receipt of the order, the health care provider shall produce the records.

4. If applicable, an objection shall state that the health care provider is subject to the confidentiality requirements in 42 United States Code sections 290dd-3 and 290ee-3, shall state that the records may be subject to those confidentiality requirements and shall request that the court make a determination, if required under applicable federal law and regulations, on whether the submitted records are subject to discovery.

F. If a party seeking medical records or payment records wishes to examine the original records maintained by a health care provider, the health care provider may permit the party to examine the original records if the subpoena meets one of the requirements of subsection B of this section. The party seeking the records also may petition a court or tribunal for an order directing the health care provider to allow the party to examine the original records or to file the original records under seal with the court or tribunal under subsection D of this section.