In response to the nationwide opioid crisis, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched new tools and initiatives this week to help providers ensure that patients and families receive information to prevent and address emergencies such as an opioid overdose or mental health crisis.
The tools are part of the OCR’s implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act. The tools aid in ensuring that the healthcare sector, researchers, patients and their families understand how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects privacy and helps improve health and healthcare nationwide.
Resources include:
- Two new HIPAA webpages focused on information related to mental and behavioral health, one for professionals and another for consumers, which reorganize existing guidance in clarifying the circumstances under which HIPAA permits a covered entity to disclose information to family members and caregivers.
- New HIPAA guidance on sharing information related to mental health and substance use disorder treatment with a patient's family, friends and others involved in the patient's care or payment for care.
- New collaboration with partner agencies within HHS to identify and develop model programs and materials for training healthcare providers, patients and their families regarding permitted uses and disclosures of the protected health information of patients seeking or undergoing mental health or substance use disorder treatment, and to develop a plan to share the programs and materials with professionals and consumers.
- Updated guidance on HIPAA and research.
