Confidential medical information: required authorization to disclose.

The Confidentiality of Medical Information Act requires, among other things, that a demand for settlement or offer to compromise issued on a patient's behalf prior to the service of a complaint in any action arising out of the professional negligence of a specifically certified physician and surgeon be accompanied by an authorization to disclose medical information to the persons or organizations insuring, responsible for, or defending the professional liability of the physician and surgeon in order to allow an evaluation of the merits of the demand for settlement or offer of compromise. This bill would extend these provisions to require that the authorization to disclose medical information also accompany a demand for settlement or offer to compromise issued on a patient's behalf prior to the service of a complaint in any action arising out of the professional negligence of a person holding a valid license as a marriage and family therapist, as specified.