New York Authorization To Permit Interview of Treating Physician By Defense Counsel (HIPAA) is a document used by defense counsel to authorize the interview of a treating physician for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical records and other protected health information (PHI). It is required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. There are two types of New York Authorization To Permit Interview of Treating Physician By Defense Counsel (HIPAA): 1) a general authorization which allows access to all relevant PHI; and 2) a specific authorization which limits access to specific types of PHI. Both types of authorization must be signed by the patient or legal representative and must include the patient or legal representative's name, date of birth, address, and signature. The authorization must also include the name of the treating physician, the purpose of the interview, the specific PHI being requested, the time frame for which access is granted, and any limitations on the use of the PHI.