Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about when parents can access their adult child’s protected health information
Families and minors
Parents and caregivers of minors often have questions regarding information that can be shared with them about their loved one’s mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment. The resources within this section are meant to clarify the rights of both minors and their caregivers when seeking or receiving treatment.
Families and minors resources
FAQ guidance regarding weather HIPAA prevents professionals working in schools from sharing concerns about a student’s mental health with the parents or law enforcement.
OCR guidance for parents describing when a parent is a child's personal representative and when exceptions may apply that would prevent a parent from accessing medical records.
CoE-PHI resource to summarize recent OCR guidance about sharing information with family members after an overdose.
OCR flowchart to assist parents with determining when they can access mental health treatment information for minor children.
OCR infographic illustrating when a mental health provider may choose not to share mental health information with the parent of a minor child.