Mental Health Center Provides Access and Revises Policies and Procedures
Mental Health Center Provides Access and Revises Policies and Procedures
Covered Entity: Mental Health Center
Issue: Access, Restrictions
The complainant alleged that a mental health center (the "Center")
refused to provide her with a copy of her medical record, including
psychotherapy notes. OCR’s investigation revealed that the Center
provided the complainant with an opportunity to review her medical
record, including the psychotherapy notes, with her therapist, but the
Center did not provide her with a copy of her records. The Privacy Rule
requires covered entities to provide individuals with access to their
medical records; however, the Privacy Rule exempts psychotherapy notes
from this requirement. Although the Center gave the complainant the
opportunity to review her medical record, this did not negate the
Center’s obligation to provide the complainant with a copy of her
records. Among other corrective action taken, the Center provided the
complainant with a copy of her medical record and revised its policies
and procedures to ensure that it provides timely access to all
individuals.
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