TN 2 (05-94)

A. Policy

The policy on disclosures to third parties and authorizer representatives is shown below.

1. Third Parties with Consent

At the written request of an individual, his or her records can be furnished to a third party (individual or group) who is merely a recipient of the record and is not authorized to act on behalf of the individual. This is considered disclosure with consent rather than access (see GN 03305.000).

EXAMPLE: A disability beneficiary request in writing that SSA forward a medical record to his insurance company.

NOTE: This should not be confused with access by a person to his or her medical record which should be handled through the “designated” representative procedure in GN 03340.035D.

2. Authorized Representative

An individual may authorize a third party to act on his or her behalf. This person is known as an “authorized representative” and the individual must name him or her in writing. (This includes attorneys.) (See GN 03900.000 for more information about authorized representatives.)

An authorized representative may see the individual's record only as permitted by the authorization. This is not considered access but, rather, disclosure with consent or disclosure for a routine use.

NOTE: Form SSA-1696-U4 (Appointment of Representative) authorizes the representative to obtain information from the claimant's file.

B. Reference

GN 03305.000 give the information that can be made available.