Confidentiality & Treatment for Substance Abuse
The confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse client records maintained by OAR is protected by Federal Law and HIPAA Regulations. Generally, we may not say to a person outside of treatment that a client attends our program, or disclose any information identifying a client as an alcohol or drug abuser unless:
1. The client consents in writing.
2. The disclosure is allowed by a court order.
3. The disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency or to
qualified personnel for research, audit or program evaluation.
4. The client commits or threatens to commit a crime either at the program or
against any person who works for the program.
Violation of the Federal Law and HIPAA Regulations by a treatment program is a crime. Suspected violations may be reported to the United States Attorney in the district where the violation occurs.
Federal Law and HIPAA Regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under State law to appropriate State or local authorities.
(See 42 U.S.C. 29Odd-3, 290ee-3 for Federal laws and 42 CFR Part 2 for Federal regulations.)