The Community Counseling Clinic adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's (HIPPA) use and disclosure of protected health information standards (OARs 164.506; 164.510) and the minimum necessary standard (OARs164.502.b) in the release of client's protected health information.
Counselors make reasonable efforts to limit protected health information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose of the use, disclosure, or request.
Clients have a right to access protected health information, and may request this information be shared with a third party. Counselors must consult with both their Practicum Instructor and the Clinic Director when receiving these requests.
Clinic Release of Information Policy in alignment with HIPPA and the ACA Code of Ethics:
The Community Counseling Clinic (CCC) will release protected health information (PHI) and records to a third party only with prior authorization from clients.
The CCC will only release PHI and records that are pertinent and necessary to accomplishing the use, disclosure, or request.
The CCC will only release PHI and records that are relevant to the client making the request.
The CCC will document the rationale for withholding any PHI or records for the protection and security of clients or others as specified by HIPPA.
Whenever possible, CCC counselors will obtain a CCC Authorization for the Release of Information, even in addition to authorization presented from outside third parties.
CCC counselors must consult their Practicum Instructor and the Clinic Director before the release of information will be implemented.
All requests for the release of information are processed and fulfilled by the Clinic Director. Practicum and intern counselors should consult with their practicum instructors before providing the Clinic Director with the authorization for the release of information. Authorization forms must be completed fully and signed by the client before being presented to the clinic director.