psychiatric guidelines?

Question

can a psychiatrist talk to our new doctor
without our permission and also give
his/her recommendations
where can i verify that?

Answer 1

It depends. If it's necessary for your treatment, to make a referral, or for billing purposes, yes; especially if both doctors work for the same group practice.

For example, they may need to clarify what medications you are taking so they don't give you meds that interact badly with each other.

You do have the right to ask why it was necessary for one doctor to contact the other.

It's highly unlikely that it had any other purpose that wasn't directly related to your treatment.

Or, if you made any threatening statements directed towards anyone, the healthcare worker can pass this information along--it's a legal concept called Duty To Warn. I'm not implying that you did anything like that; I'm just trying to talk about situations where two doctors might talk about you without your permission.

Answer 2

This is what the - "patient confidentiality" Law is all about.

"The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 requires all professionals and organizations to guard the privacy of their patients and customers. Individuals must provide written consent for any and all releases of medical or health-related information. Employees at all levels are required to maintain confidentiality. Similar policies have been in place for some time. This was a requirement of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) to maintain accreditation. All confidentiality releases must identify the types of information that can be released, the people or groups that have been permitted access to the information, and limit the length of time for which the release is valid.

Answer 3

When you start seeing a psychiatrist they will give you a pamphlet about privacy. The only way Doctors can talk about you is if you do the paperwork necessary. Otherwise it stays private.

Blessed Be