Qualified Protective Order (HIPAA - Mag. Judge Schneider)

QUALIFIED PROTECTIVE ORDER (Margaret J. Schneider, United States Magistrate Judge). This is a Northern District of Illinois order permitting the limited use and disclosure of a plaintiff’s protected health information (PHI) during federal litigation. Issued under Rule 26(c) and 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e)(1), the order authorizes parties, their attorneys, and future parties to obtain, subpoena, and exchange PHI solely for prosecuting or defending the case. Covered entities may disclose PHI to counsel, and all recipients must be advised that the information cannot be used for any purpose outside the litigation. At the conclusion of the case, parties must return or destroy all PHI within 45 days, with an exception for materials filed with the court. The order also clarifies that it does not permit informal medical-record collection or automatically allow filings under seal. www.FormsWorkflow.com