Course Description:
If confidentiality is the cornerstone of the therapist-patient relationship, it behooves therapists to have an accurate understanding of the laws that affect the confidentiality of patient information. What information must be kept confidential? What information could be shared without an authorization? How can we limit third-party access to outpatient information? What “things” does a practitioner have to do to secure patient information to keep it confidential? In this presentation, David Jensen, J.D., will review California and HIPAA laws regarding the confidentiality of patient information.
Learning Objectives:
1. Compare the “building blocks” of patient information and confidentiality under California law and HIPAA.
2. Describe the structure of California Civil Code § 56.10 and the importance of written authorizations.
3. Explain the relationship between California Civil Code §§ 56.10 and 56.104 and why this relationship is so important for outpatient psychotherapists.
4. Apply the categories of “T-P-O” to patient information under HIPAA.
5. Assess how HIPAA handles the technical aspects of confidentiality differently than California law does
MEETS CE REQUIREMENTS FOR MFT/LCSW