Depression Treatment in Palatine, Il
Whether you suffer from depression, anxiety or other types of mental illness, the protection of your treatment details will likely be a high priority for your therapists. The medicines you are prescribed and what you discuss in therapy are not for public view; however, you may be worried about data breaches and other errors that have allowed medical data to revealed in the past. If you want to keep your mental health information private, there are a few tips to keep in mind as you manage your treatment.
- Ask Your Mental Health Center About Privacy Laws
Before you agree to consent to treatment at a mental health center, ask the intake specialist about what consent laws they are bound by under local and federal laws. This can be especially important for any therapy sessions you attend because psychotherapy notes are typically not covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy laws. If you are not able to ask such questions during your intake session, have a family member or trusted friend do so to ensure your rights are protected.
- Review All Consent Forms Completely
A mental health center staff may ask you to sign a disclosure form so that your loved ones can be kept informed about your progress and may ask questions about what kind of treatment you will receive. Review this form carefully and consider who you can trust with this information, such as your spouse or your adult children. Keep in mind, however, that your treatment details may change and those you have signed off on disclosure could be made aware of it, despite their content.
- Know Your Rights
If you seek treatment for your mental health issues, it is important that you know your rights first. There are many rights afforded you by the HIPAA you can access either through your healthcare provider or the internet. Do not be afraid to ask questions regarding your rights, especially related to consent for treatment and what your therapist is responsible for in terms of keeping your treatment details private.
- Ask About Electronic Transfer of Information
Many instances of privacy breaches in the medical community have been due to digital transfer of records and other information, such as from doctor to doctor or hospital to an insurance company. Asking a treatment center about how they protect their digital patient information can help you protect your records and rights.
Keeping your mental health treatment information private can be an important facet for retaining peace of mind as you receive therapy and other types of care. Talk to a therapist about your depression treatment in Palatine, IL today to learn more about your rights as a patient.
Contact Lotus Wellness Center for their insight into therapy and keeping your mental health private.