What documentation is essential when a patient needs to authorize the use of their health information for non-treatment purposes?

The essential documentation required when a patient needs to authorize the use of their health information for non-treatment purposes is the release of information form. This form is specifically designed to provide the necessary legal authorization for healthcare providers to share a patient’s health information with third parties, such as insurance companies, researchers, or other entities, outside of the treatment context.

This form ensures that the patient's consent is informed and documented, complying with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets strict rules around the privacy and security of health information. The release of information form outlines what specific information is being shared, to whom it is being released, and for what purposes, thus protecting the patient’s rights and ensuring transparency in handling their health data.

In contrast, options like an incident report, clinical summary, and referral letter serve different purposes. An incident report identifies and documents unusual events that occur in a healthcare facility, a clinical summary provides a brief overview of a patient's medical history and treatment for continuity of care, and a referral letter is used for transferring care or requesting consultation from another healthcare provider. None of these items are specifically designed to authorize the release of health information for non-treatment purposes.