Wash. Rev. Code » Title 70 · Chapter 70.02
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information, except for information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases which are addressed in RCW 70.02.220, about a patient without the patient's authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is:
(a) To a person who the provider or facility reasonably believes is providing health care to the patient;
(b) To any other person who requires health care information for health care education, or to provide planning, quality assurance, peer review, or administrative, legal, financial, actuarial services to, or other health care operations for or on behalf of the health care provider or health care facility; or for assisting the health care provider or health care facility in the delivery of health care and the health care provider or health care facility reasonably believes that the person:
(i) Will not use or disclose the health care information for any other purpose; and
(ii) Will take appropriate steps to protect the health care information;
(c) To any person if the health care provider or health care facility believes, in good faith, that use or disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public, and the information is disclosed only to a person or persons reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat, including the target of the threat. There is no obligation under this chapter on the part of the provider or facility to so disclose; or
(d) For payment, including information necessary for a recipient to make a claim, or for a claim to be made on behalf of a recipient for aid, insurance, or medical assistance to which he or she may be entitled.
(2) A health care provider shall disclose health care information, except for information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases, unless otherwise authorized in RCW 70.02.220, about a patient without the patient's authorization if the disclosure is:
(a) To federal, state, or local public health authorities, to the extent the health care provider is required by law to report health care information; when needed to determine compliance with state or federal licensure, certification or registration rules or laws, or to investigate unprofessional conduct or ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety under chapter 18.130 RCW. Any health care information obtained under this subsection is exempt from public inspection and copying pursuant to chapter 42.56 RCW; or
(b) When needed to protect the public health.
[ 2017 c 298 s 2; 2014 c 220 s 6; 2013 c 200 s 3; 2007 c 156 s 12; 2006 c 235 s 3; 2005 c 468 s 4; 1998 c 158 s 1; 1993 c 448 s 4; 1991 c 335 s 204.]

Notes:

Effective date—2014 c 220: See note following RCW 70.02.290.
Effective date—2013 c 200: See note following RCW 70.02.010.
Purpose—2006 c 235: "The purpose of this act is to aid law enforcement in combating crime through the rapid identification of all persons who require medical treatment as a result of a criminal act and to assist in the rapid identification of human remains." [ 2006 c 235 s 1.]
Effective date—2006 c 235: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 27, 2006]." [ 2006 c 235 s 5.]
Effective date—1993 c 448: See note following RCW 70.02.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 35 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1994–2025 · leading case: Seaton v. Mayberg, 610 F.3d 530 (9th Cir. 2010).
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Seaton v. Mayberg, 610 F.3d 530 (9th Cir. 2010). · cites it 4× “privacy in medical records, including HIV status, but holding that disclosure "is a reasonable infringement in light of the inmate interests at stake (both seropositive and general population), and the difficult decisions that the DOC must make in determining how best to treat…”
Doe v. Grp. Health Coop. of Puget Sound, Inc., 932 P.2d 178 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 7× “2 Doe claims that Group Health violated the Act’s prohibition against disclosure of "health care information” without the patient’s authorization: Except as authorized in RCW 70.02.050, a health care provider, an individual who assists a health care provider in the delivery of…”
Youngs v. PeaceHealth, 316 P.3d 1035 (Wash. 2014). · cites it 4× “9 The UHCIA *666 authorizes the disclosure of confidential patient information “to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is ... to [a] person who requires [the] information .”
King v. Riveland, 886 P.2d 160 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 2× “The DOC responds that disclosure of the files is mandatory under RCW 70.02.050(2)(b), which provides that a health care provider shall disclose health care information about a patient without the patient’s authorization if the disclosure is to federal, state, or local law…”
Jeckle v. Crotty, 85 P.3d 931 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 3× “" Regarding public disclosure, the Department of Health has issued WAC 246-08-390(4), which partly provides "[t]he Department shall not make health care information obtained under RCW 70.02.050 available for public inspection and copying except as may be required by chapter 42.”
Client A v. Yoshinaka, 128 Wash. App. 833 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “180(8), and RCW 70.02.050(2)(a). These statutes, respectively, empower the government to investigate complaints of unprofessional conduct by health professionals, obligate the professional to cooperate in the investigation, and require the professional to disclose health care…”
Jeckle v. Crotty, 120 Wash. App. 374 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 2× “” Regarding public disclosure, the Department of Health has issued WAC 246-08-390(4), which partly provides “[t]he department shall not make health care information obtained under RCW 70.02.050 available for public inspection and copying except as may be required by chapter 42.”
Smith v. Orthopedics Intern., Ltd., PS, 244 P.3d 939 (Wash. 2010). · cites it 2× “[1] RCW 70.02.050(1) provides in relevant part: A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient's authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is: (a) To a person…”
Smith v. Orthopedics Int'l, Ltd., 170 Wash. 2d 659 (Wash. 2010). · cites it 2× “050(1) provides in relevant part: A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient’s authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is: (a) To a person who the…”
Planned Parenthood v. Bloedow, 350 P.3d 660 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “” Former RCW 70.02.050(2)(a) (2007). 3 ¶3 UHCIA addresses access and disclosure of health care information.”
Prison Legal News, Inc. v. Dep't of Corr., 115 P.3d 316 (Wash. 2005). “DOC, in its letter to PLN, stated: “The redacted information includes the names of the disciplined employees, the names of the inmates involved, the names of all witnesses and pronouns referring to those witnesses, identifying locations, and identifying dates.”
Volk v. DeMeerleer, 337 P.3d 372 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “RCW 70.02.050(1). The statute also does not expressly preclude disclosure in circumstances where there is no identified victim.”
Show all 35 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(1) — 4 cases
Doe v. Grp. Health Coop. of Puget Sound, Inc., 932 P.2d 178 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). “2 Doe claims that Group Health violated the Act’s prohibition against disclosure of "health care information” without the patient’s authorization: Except as authorized in RCW 70.02.050, a health care provider, an individual who assists a health care provider in the delivery of…”
Smith v. Orthopedics Intern., Ltd., PS, 244 P.3d 939 (Wash. 2010). “[1] RCW 70.02.050(1) provides in relevant part: A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient's authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is: (a) To a person…”
Smith v. Orthopedics Int'l, Ltd., 170 Wash. 2d 659 (Wash. 2010). “050(1) provides in relevant part: A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient’s authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is: (a) To a person who the…”
Volk v. DeMeerleer, 337 P.3d 372 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “RCW 70.02.050(1). The statute also does not expressly preclude disclosure in circumstances where there is no identified victim.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(1)(b) — 4 cases
Smith v. Orthopedics Intern., Ltd., PS, 244 P.3d 939 (Wash. 2010). “[1] RCW 70.02.050(1) provides in relevant part: A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient's authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is: (a) To a person…”
Angulo v. Providence Health & Servs. Washington (W.D. Wash. 2023).
Jason Wilks v. Dep't of Corr. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
Youngs v. PeaceHealth (Wash. 2014).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(1)(b)(ii) — 1 case
Seattle Child.'s Hosp. v. King 5 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(1)(d) — 1 case
State v. Side, 21 P.3d 321 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(1)(j) — 1 case
Doe v. Grp. Health Coop. of Puget Sound, Inc., 932 P.2d 178 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). “2 Doe claims that Group Health violated the Act’s prohibition against disclosure of "health care information” without the patient’s authorization: Except as authorized in RCW 70.02.050, a health care provider, an individual who assists a health care provider in the delivery of…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(2)(a) — 9 cases
Client A v. Yoshinaka, 128 Wash. App. 833 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “180(8), and RCW 70.02.050(2)(a). These statutes, respectively, empower the government to investigate complaints of unprofessional conduct by health professionals, obligate the professional to cooperate in the investigation, and require the professional to disclose health care…”
Planned Parenthood v. Bloedow, 350 P.3d 660 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “” Former RCW 70.02.050(2)(a) (2007). 3 ¶3 UHCIA addresses access and disclosure of health care information.”
Jeckle v. Crotty, 85 P.3d 931 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “" Regarding public disclosure, the Department of Health has issued WAC 246-08-390(4), which partly provides "[t]he Department shall not make health care information obtained under RCW 70.02.050 available for public inspection and copying except as may be required by chapter 42.”
Jeckle v. Crotty, 120 Wash. App. 374 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “” Regarding public disclosure, the Department of Health has issued WAC 246-08-390(4), which partly provides “[t]he department shall not make health care information obtained under RCW 70.02.050 available for public inspection and copying except as may be required by chapter 42.”
Dale E. Alsager, D.o., Phd. v. Wa State Bd Of Osteopathic Med., 196 Wash. App. 653 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(2)(b) — 5 cases
King v. Riveland, 886 P.2d 160 (Wash. 1994). “The DOC responds that disclosure of the files is mandatory under RCW 70.02.050(2)(b), which provides that a health care provider shall disclose health care information about a patient without the patient’s authorization if the disclosure is to federal, state, or local law…”
Murphy v. State, 62 P.3d 533 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
Murphy v. State, 115 Wash. App. 297 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
State v. Sanchez, 279 P.3d 999 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Sanchez (Wash. 2013).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(2)(c) — 1 case
Seaton v. Mayberg, 610 F.3d 530 (9th Cir. 2010). “privacy in medical records, including HIV status, but holding that disclosure "is a reasonable infringement in light of the inmate interests at stake (both seropositive and general population), and the difficult decisions that the DOC must make in determining how best to treat…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(3) — 1 case
Client A v. Yoshinaka, 128 Wash. App. 833 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “180(8), and RCW 70.02.050(2)(a). These statutes, respectively, empower the government to investigate complaints of unprofessional conduct by health professionals, obligate the professional to cooperate in the investigation, and require the professional to disclose health care…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(d) — 2 cases
Angulo v. Providence Health & Servs. Washington (W.D. Wash. 2023).
Brian P. Winkler v. James \Jim\" B. Demeerleer" (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(l)(b) — 3 cases
Youngs v. PeaceHealth, 316 P.3d 1035 (Wash. 2014). “9 The UHCIA *666 authorizes the disclosure of confidential patient information “to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is ... to [a] person who requires [the] information .”
Smith v. Orthopedics Int'l, Ltd., 170 Wash. 2d 659 (Wash. 2010). “050(1) provides in relevant part: A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient’s authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is: (a) To a person who the…”
Youngs v. PeaceHealth (Wash. 2014).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(l)(c) — 1 case
Volk v. DeMeerleer, 337 P.3d 372 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “RCW 70.02.050(1). The statute also does not expressly preclude disclosure in circumstances where there is no identified victim.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 70.02.050(l)(d) — 1 case
State v. Side, 105 Wash. App. 787 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
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