- When Jennifer Hughes’ son, Vance, turned 18, she was prepared to take on a new role: overlord of his medical records and financial information.
- However, federal privacy laws prevented her from easily accessing these records, leaving her feeling anxious and uncertain about how to support her child in case of an emergency.
- Enter Mama Bear Legal Forms, a company offering a bundle of health and financial power-of-attorney forms, a release waiving the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and a release waiving the student’s federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) medical-privacy rights.
Mama Bear Legal Forms is a Nebraska-based company that aims to alleviate parents’ anxiety by providing them with a way to access their college-bound kids’ medical and financial records. For under $100, parents can sign a privacy waiver, granting their parents access to their child’s medical records and educational information, including grades.
“It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind,” said Ruth Epps, a Littleton mom whose son at the University of Colorado Boulder signed Mama Bear legal forms.
The company’s website provides a range of forms, including:
| Mama Bear Legal Forms | Health and Financial Power-of-Attorney Forms | FERPA Release Waiver | HIPAA Medical-Privacy Rights Release |
Parents who have signed up for these forms have reported feeling more confident and prepared to support their children in case of an emergency. “The biggest thing for me is my mom can still hold my hand and help me through my formative years of becoming an adult as long as I need help in the future,” said Vance Hughes, the son of Jennifer Hughes. Vance, who is headed to CU Boulder to study psychology, knows that his mother has been through the wringer with his insurance after his mountain biking accident. He wanted to prevent that headache while allowing his parents to have more control over his medical decisions should an emergency happen again. “I don’t see the harm in it,” he said. “I know my mom wouldn’t misuse her new power, and I know she would willingly discuss my grades without her having to snoop.”
Jennifer Hughes agreed. Her son knows she wouldn’t misuse her new power, she said, and she knows he would willingly discuss his grades without her having to snoop. “You think about your kid being an adult, but he’s still your kid, and they may need your assistance,” she said. “It’s not about making sure you keep a thumb on them. It’s that in case of an emergency, you can support them in the best way they need. He’s going to college to be his own person, and this is a great place for him to start learning how to adult.”
However, not everyone is convinced that Mama Bear Legal Forms is the solution to parents’ anxiety. Jennifer Hendricks, a CU Boulder law professor and co-director of the Juvenile and Family Law Program, was not sold on Mama Bear Legal Forms.
“What I’m seeing is really infantilizing the adult children by having the mom prepare everything and then just say’sign this,’” said Hendricks.
Colorado-based family law attorney Rich Harris also cautioned against outsourcing to a one-size-fits-all internet option, advising parents to consult with legal experts rather than relying on do-it-yourself forms.
Despite the concerns, some parents have reported positive experiences with Mama Bear Legal Forms. Ruth Epps, a Littleton mom, said that after her son got sick while at CU Boulder, she was relieved to have the forms in place, which allowed her to access his medical information and advocate for him. “Now that he has Mama Bear in place, I can talk to anyone,” said Epps. “Which would hopefully prevent something like that from happening in the future. I would have known had they said his oxygen levels are low that things were bad.”
Epps, who hails from the “suck it up, buttercup” line of parenting, said that she didn’t define herself as a “mama bear,” but was grateful to have the forms as a safety net.
said Epps. “I just don’t think they understand, to go from having someone who makes all of your medical appointments for you and manages your prescription drugs to being completely alone — they don’t understand that it’s so sudden. We’re covering his tuition and living expenses, so there’s a gradual roll into adulthood. It’s not like that for this. They’re so strict about privacy laws.”
In conclusion, Mama Bear Legal Forms offers a solution for parents who want to access their college-bound kids’ medical and financial records, but it’s essential to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before signing up. By weighing the pros and cons and consulting with legal experts, parents can make an informed decision that works best for their family.
