A health care provider may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient's authorization if the disclosure is:

1. (1) directory information, unless the patient has instructed the health care provider not to make the disclosure;
2. (2) to federal, state, or local public health authorities, to the extent the health care provider is required by law to report health care information or when needed to protect the public health;
3. (3) to federal, state, or local law enforcement authorities to the extent required by law;
4. (4) to a law enforcement officer about the general physical condition of a patient being treated in a health care facility if the patient was injured on a public roadway or was injured by the possible criminal act of another;
5. (5) in response to a request of the office of victims services for information under 53-9-104(2)(b);
6. (6) pursuant to compulsory process in accordance with 50-16-535 and 50-16-536;
7. (7) pursuant to 50-16-712; or
8. (8) to the state medical examiner or a county coroner for use in determining cause of death. The information is required to be held confidential as provided by law.

History: En. Sec. 10, Ch. 632, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 68, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 396, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 101, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 124, L. 2001.