HHS issues new HIPAA behavioral health guidance

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights yesterday released new guidance on sharing information related to mental health and substance use disorder treatment with a patient’s family and others involved in their care under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The guidance includes fact sheets and decision charts, including materials tailored to parents of children who have a mental health condition, and scenarios that address sharing information when an individual experiences an opioid overdose. HHS said it also will work to develop model training programs and materials on the issue.