Florida Parents Lost Medical Access to Adult Children
State laws require formal healthcare surrogate documents for parents to manage medical records for children aged 18 and older.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Eldercare
In Florida, parents lose automatic legal authority to access medical records or make decisions for their children once they turn 18. This legal independence led to significant hurdles for families, including the parents of University of Miami student Baylie Grogan, who was struck by a car in 2018.
Why it matters
Hospitals are legally restricted from disclosing health information to anyone without formal authorization, meaning parents can be shut out of critical medical updates. Establishing legal status is essential for parents to participate in the care of incapacitated adult children.
In Florida, children reach legal adulthood at age 18, ending parental medical rights. Healthcare surrogate documents require two witnesses for signing and can be completed in approximately 5 minutes.
The players
Baylie Grogan
She was a pre-med student at the University of Miami who died following a 2018 vehicle accident.
The details
Once a student turns 18, HIPAA regulations and state statutes prevent hospitals from sharing sensitive medical data with parents unless specific paperwork is on file. Families are encouraged to complete both healthcare surrogate and HIPAA authorization forms to ensure access during emergency situations.
Timeline
Baylie Grogan was struck by a car in 2018.
Culture Shift
This issue highlights the tension between the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and traditional parental support roles as children transition to legal independence. It reflects a broader shift toward individual privacy rights that necessitates proactive estate and healthcare planning.
Parents with children attending college in Florida should ensure their adult children complete healthcare surrogate forms immediately. Taking five minutes to finalize this documentation ensures parents can advocate for their children during medical emergencies.
The takeaway
Proactive legal planning is the only way for parents to retain a role in the medical care of their adult children. Completing HIPAA authorizations and surrogate forms provides necessary security for families before a crisis occurs.
Further reading
Find more information on legal planning and care coordination in our Eldercare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm.
