I'm not a lawyer or a doctor, but I bet the answer is...it depends on the circumstances.

Generally speaking the only time you would need to sign an authorization for the release of PHI would be for the medical provider to discuss your PHI to someone you designate. Without knowing more about the form/situation it would be hard for anyone to give a better answer.

Are you sure it wasn’t consent for treatment you refused to sign?

I don’t think you can reasonably expect any practitioner to accept the liability of treating a patient without a clear medical history. Otherwise, yes, other than ERs, you have no right to demand medical treatment anywhere. The only case that can realistically be made is one of discrimination based on a protected class.

How does withholding PHI from someone trying give you medical treatment benefit you?

MD here. I believe the answer is unless you fall under the EMTALA rules/need emergency care a doctor can legally refuse to care for you for a variety of reasons and refusal to sign the release would be a good one. PHI release is necessary for appropriate handling of health information in an organization, quality assurance, and for billing reasons.

Caveat: I’m not lawyer and personally haven’t had a patient refuse to sign the release ever

Live free or die! /s This person also likely opposed the vaccine registry.

Tell us the title of the form