Ventilators, feeding tubes, and other medical technologies have made it much easier to sustain the lives of those with severe brain injuries. But has the law kept pace with medical advances? At what point is an individual legally declared dead? The t...
A number of state and federal laws prevent doctors and their staff from disclosing patients’ medical records and information without their permission. Learn about patient privacy and possible exceptions.
While there’s a high demand for organ donors every year, it’s strictly illegal to sell an organ under federal law. This article explains the National Organ Transplant Act and the penalties facing those who sell or buy organs.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which regulates employee benefit plans, includes the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Under COBRA, health insurance coverage offered by employers must be extended to employee...
Watching a loved one suffer through an agonizing illness or medical condition can be very difficult, especially when it's terminal. But when all hope is lost and the patient no longer has the will to live, does she have the right to end her life ? It...
A detailed look at federal and state laws prohibiting doctor shopping and the stiff penalties that can apply. Learn more about what constitutes doctor shopping and how you can protect yourself when seeking treatment.
A durable power of attorney will allow you to dictate how you want your health care and finances handled should you become unable to handle them yourself. Learn about what a durable power of attorney entails.
Facing a medical crisis can be a daunting experience. Patients are often shuffled between doctors and forced to make serious medical decisions quickly and with a limited understanding of the medicine involved. It can be easy to forget that patients a...
Planning for the future also means having a plan in place for future medical care or treatment . Proper planning will require you to draft a number of documents and forms. For example, a living will allows you to make decisions about your medical car...
In 1996, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ( ERISA ), which regulates employee benefit plans, was amended to include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ). Generally, this law establishes data privacy and securit...
