W. Va. Code R. § 64-74-11 - Right of Confidentiality

11.1. A consumer has the right to have all information about his or her diagnosis and treatment kept confidential.

11.1.a. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to:

11.1.a.1. Information obtained during diagnosis or treatment, including the fact that an individual is or has been a consumer;

11.1.a.2. Information provided by a consumer or his or her family for purposes related to diagnosis or treatment;

11.1.a.3. Information provided by the treatment staff;

11.1.a.4. Diagnoses, opinions or remarks made by treatment staff that relate to a consumer's treatment;

11.1.a.5. Advice, instructions, or prescriptions issued in the course of diagnosis or treatment; and

11.1.a.6. Any record of a consumer's treatment.

11.1.b. Confidential information does not include: information which does not identify a consumer; information from which a person acquainted with a consumer would not recognize the consumer; and encoded information from which there is no possible means to identify a consumer.

11.2. A consumer has the right to have information relating to his or her treatment disclosed only:

11.2.a. In a proceeding under W. Va. Code '27-5-4 to disclose the results of an involuntary examination made pursuant to W. Va. Code ''27-5-2 or -3;

11.2.b. In a proceeding under W. Va. Code '27-6A-1 e seq. to disclose the results of an involuntary examination made pursuant to those provisions;

11.2.c. Pursuant to a court order;

11.2.d. To the attorney of the consumer, whether or not in connection with pending judicial proceedings;

11.2.e. To agencies requiring information necessary to make payments to or on behalf of the consumer pursuant to contract or in accordance with law, provided that only such information shall be released to third-party payers as is required to certify that covered services have been provided;

11.2.f. To protect against a clear and substantial danger of imminent injury by a consumer to self or another; and

11.2.g. For internal review purposes of the behavioral health service, to the treatment staff, to other health professionals involved in a consumer's treatment, on the consumer's request to anyone designated, or in compliance with applicable federal law, within the meaning of W. Va. Code '27-5-9(e) and/or '27-5-9(3)(i).

11.3. A consumer has the right to be informed about the limits of confidentiality in this rule.

11.4. Consent for Disclosure.

11.4.a. A consent for the disclosure of confidential information shall be in writing and signed by the consumer, or by his or her legal representative. A consumer who signs a consent has the right to a copy of the consent.

11.4.b. A consumer shall not be denied treatment on the basis of refusing to provide consent to disclose confidential information, except when and to the extent disclosure is necessary for treatment, or for the substantiation of a claim for payment for treatment from a source other than the consumer.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 64-74-11