If you think getting information out of a doctor is problematic with the new privacy laws, try getting any information out of Medicare or Social Security for someone you care for or about.

In a previous article we addressed what to do if you are trying to help someone (elder or not) who is incapacitated and unable to manage their affairs. See the article "Why Social Security Won't Talk To You."

Becoming Representative Payee is necessary if the person you're caring for needs someone to completely manage their affairs, including receiving their Social Security check. But what if your elder is perfectly competent but, for whatever reason, wants you to help with the stress of dealing on the phone with government agencies. Maybe there is a question about a claim or an appeal and you just need to get a straight answer. How do you do this if you can't be there in the room with your elder when you call (so the elder can verify that the representative may talk with you). Dealing from a distance is impossible when you're talking about Medicare and Social Security.

Unless...you have Authorization to Receive Protected Health Information.

In a nutshell, this is a release of information form your elder can sign that gives you access to his or her protected information. Once the information on the form has been entered into the "system" you can call these agencies from anywhere and get the information you need, without having to have your elder on the phone as well.

Go to the Social Security website. On the far right corner of their home page go to "resources", and then "forms." In the search box enter 1696 - this is the number for the authorization form you need. When the page comes up, click the little blue "1696" in the upper left. The form will come to you as a pdf. Don't be overwhelmed - because it's a pdf and not a pressure- sensitive form it's in several parts...a copy for them, one for the elder, one for you.

Have your elder sign the form and take it to your closest SSA office (look in the blue pages of your phone book for the closest office). Then you'll have to wait until the information shows up in the system. There is no guarantee how long this might take. As the representative I spoke with said, helping the person standing at the counter takes precedence over data entry, so it might take a while.

After a couple of weeks call SSA at (800) 772-1213 and see if you have been entered. Keep calling until you know you are authorized. Try not to get too frustrated or angry at the system... you can't fight it.

This is why, if you think you might need to speak with Social Security or Medicare any time in the future for a parent or a spouse, get the forms filled out and turned in now. It might take a while before you're up and running.