Behavioral health medical records for patients treated in the hospital or by behavioral therapists as outpatients are considered sensitive in nature and require approval by the attending provider to release these records. The provider reserves the right to approve all, some, or none of the records. Providers may deny access to behavioral records if they feel it could endanger the patient.
If your request is denied, you will be notified in writing with an appeal form enclosed if applicable. By law, not all denials can be appealed, and if this happens you will be notified. If your request is partially denied, the records we are able to provide will be enclosed.
Reasons for reviewable denial of access to patient information:
- 1. Releasing the information can reasonably be expected to cause substantial and identifiable harm to the patient or others.
2. Other provisions of law prevent the release.
3. The person making the request is not qualified by law to have access.
Reasons for Unreviewable denial of access:
- 1. You're involved in the research that includes treatment and agreed to the denial of access when you decided to participate. Your right of access will be available when you complete the research.
2. The behavioral records you requested include psychotherapy notes.
3. The records you requested include information compiled for use in civil, criminal or administrative actions.
4. Your records include information prohibited from release by the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA).
5. Information in the records is subject to the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C Section 522a, and the denial meets the requirements of the law.
6. The facility is under the direction of a correctional institution.
7. The facility does not maintain the medical records.