Baker v. Wellstar Health System, Inc.

HUNSTEIN, Chief Justice.

This action originated with a medical malpractice complaint filed on March 31, 2009 by Russel Baker against Wellstar Health System, Inc., individually and d/b/a Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. To aid in its discovery, Wellstar filed a motion for a qualified protective order under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), requesting that it be permitted to conduct ex parte interviews with Baker’s health care providers. After oral argument, the trial court granted Wellstar’s motion, finding, under the authority of Moreland v. Austin, 284 Ga.…