MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is committed to helping all of our patients make a smooth transition from pediatric to adult health care. This process requires working with our patients and their families to plan and prepare for transition starting around the 14th birthday. At age 18, youths in our practice will transition to an adult model of care with modifications as needed for youths with intellectual disabilities. We honor the preferences of the youth and family regarding the eventual transfer of care to an adult primary care medical home, but this tends to occur by 22 years of age.

• For Young Adults: At age 18, under the federal Health Information Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA, access to your health records and any discussion about your health is only provided to people you consent to, including your parents. If you wish your parents to discuss your health on your behalf, you must provide written consent to your health care provider by completing a form. These forms are called Protected Health Information Consent or Consent to Discuss Medical information or Protected Health Information. Please ask a staff member if you would like to complete this today.

• For Parents: If you need access to your child’s records, your child must consent in writing to provide you access. Under HIPAA, medical providers are no longer permitted to discuss health issues with you without express consent from your now young adult. This is important to keep in mind when trying to call for health questions when your young adult is away at college. They will need to call themselves.