Patient Portal Participation by Minors and Parents of Minors

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Policy Statement: The North Dakota Health Information Network (NDHIN) shall limit participation of a patient and patient representative to the patient portal of the North Dakota Health Information Network

 

Participation of a Patient

The PHI of an unemancipated minor may not be accessed through the patient portal of the North Dakota health information network.

Participation of a Patient Representative

The personal representative, including the parents, of an unemancipated minor must not be invited to or participate on behalf of the unemancipated minor in the patient portal of the North Dakota Health Information Network.

If a parent wishes to obtain a copy of, or access to, their minor child’s health information the parent must make a manual request to NDHIN (or a health care provider) and a Communicate (Direct Secure Message) email with the requested information will be sent to the parent.

Definitions

1. “Minor” means an individual under eighteen years of age.
2. “Unemancipated minor” means an individual who is under 18 years of age and is under the care or supervision of his or her parents or legal guardian.
3. “Emancipated minor” means an individual who is under eighteen years of age but who is regarded in the eyes of the law as being old enough––usually because he or she is married, in the military, financially independent, or otherwise no longer dependent on their parents––to make adult decisions and exercise general control over his or her own life.