This framework can help answer a fundamental question: “How are we considering the impacts to individuals as we develop our state’s 988 crisis response network?”
Emergencies
Families and healthcare professionals often have questions about what information can be shared when a client needs emergency medical care, or when the client is in crisis, incapacitated, or poses a serious and imminent threat of harm to themselves or others. The resources in this section are meant to clarify what information can be shared, and with whom, during an emergency situation or when an imminent threat of harm exists.
Emergencies resources
First responders often gain access to sensitive information about people’s substance use disorders (SUD) and treatment. Protecting the privacy of this information is key to these individuals’ recovery. It also is required by law. This resource explains the limited circumstances under which two federal privacy laws apply to SUD information obtained by first responders. It also describes how these laws permit first responders to share protected information.
Guidance issued by OCR explaining how HIPAA allows health care professionals to disclose PHI without a patient's consent in certain emergency situations, such as when a patient is unconscious or to prevent a serious and imminent threat to a patient's health or safety.
CoE-PHI resource to summarize recent OCR guidance about sharing information with family members after an overdose.
OCR guidance for parents regarding the rights of parents and their children under HIPAA as children become adults.
OCR guidance issued informing patients when HIPAA may permit a healthcare provider to notify family, friends, or other caregivers about a patient's location and general condition.