SAMHSA to host a public meeting on confidentiality and privacy issues related to psychological testing data on Nov. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. Newswise — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a regional public meeting at the Sheraton Los Angeles Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles, California, on November 18, 2010 for health professionals, consumers and other members of the public to discuss confidentiality issues related to psychological testing. The public meeting is part of a collaborative study by SAMHSA and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on this issue. This study was specifically called for in section 13424 of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, a component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (P.L. 111-5). This effort is also part of SAMHSAs strategic initiative on health information technology. Among the issues that will be discussed at this meeting are:
What activities and information are considered the “test data” that is part of a mental health evaluation? What are the relevant distinctions among test materials, raw data, and reports or assessments with respect to the level of protection currently afforded and/or otherwise necessary?
Does the individual need to know, or have an interest in, inspecting or obtaining a copy of such information? How do state or professional requirements affect providing this information?
* Are there circumstances under which test data should be disclosed to third parties? Should the individual’s authorization be required prior to such a disclosure? To whom should test data be released?
* How would affording mental health test data a higher level of protection affect the workflow in medical, behavioral health, or psychological practices? Are there any additional implications with respect to clinical integration efforts and the increasing availability of mental health services in general health care settings?
* How is the issue of greater protection for test data affected by State and Federal laws other than the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
* In light of the increasing reliance on electronic health records and the exchange of electronic health data, what are the implications of setting more stringent requirements for the use and disclosure of test data? Small groups will consider these and other issues after presentations made by SAMHSA and OCR experts. The conference will be held from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM and those interested in attending can register online at: www.regonline.com/samhsa_regional_public_meeting_los_angelesFor further information about this upcoming Regional Meeting or about the Confidentiality and Privacy Issues Related to Psychological Testing Data project, please contact the Project Director, William Strang, at 301-251-0300, ext. 212 or through email at [email protected]. Kirk James, M.D. Medical Officer with SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment can also be contacted at 240-276-1617 [email protected].
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
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