Is it OK to speak to your child’s psychiatrist without their consent?

[Anonymous]

To share your concerns.

[Anonymous]

You don't need your child's consent for anything. You're the legal guardian.

[Anonymous]

Yes - I don't know how HIPPA is observed when it comes to pediatric patients but you can discuss anything you wish with the doctor ... it may help with treatment.

[Anonymous]

OP here. If they are adults.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have exchange of info paperwork, you can still reach out to the psychiatrist, they just can't tell you anything in return. So, you can send an email, but all they can say back is "Thank you". You can't ask questions, not even "have they been seen?" Although, if they're like my kid and the psychiatrist is billed to my credit card, I can look and see the difference between the cost of a session, and the no show penalty (which is like 75% of the cost of a session).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. If they are adults.

OP if I understand HIPAA correctly, it governs what a psychiatrist can tell you, but it doesn't govern what you tell the psychiatrist. Do you want to relay your concerns or observations only, or are you hoping for some information too?

[Anonymous]

You can always talk, the psychiatrist can always listen. Beyond that, nothing is a given.

I was present during my husband's first meeting with his psychiatrist, because since the suspected disorder has known repercussions on family life, I wanted to give vital information on how he acted at home. My husband could not do this himself, since he had no idea how bad it actually was.

[Anonymous]

Of course, you can. The psychiatrist just can't share information about your adult children without their permission. My DH suffers from mental illness and I can't tell you the number of times I've called his health providers to convey information that he was unlikely to share with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course, you can. The psychiatrist just can't share information about your adult children without their permission. My DH suffers from mental illness and I can't tell you the number of times I've called his health providers to convey information that he was unlikely to share with them.

Your husband likely told them this was ok. Otherwise it's a violation to say someone Is your patient if consent hasn't been given.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course, you can. The psychiatrist just can't share information about your adult children without their permission. My DH suffers from mental illness and I can't tell you the number of times I've called his health providers to convey information that he was unlikely to share with them.

Your husband likely told them this was ok. Otherwise it's a violation to say someone Is your patient if consent hasn't been given.

I mean, sure, but if you already know who the other person's doctor is, you don't need the doctor to confirm it. You just relay the information, the doctor says thank you, and that's it.

[Anonymous]

Therapist here. I tell the parents (if they call) that I am happy to listen to everything they want to say but they have to know 2 things before they speak: 1) I won't offer any information back, I'll only listen, and 2) I will tell my patient that you called and this is what you said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Therapist here. I tell the parents (if they call) that I am happy to listen to everything they want to say but they have to know 2 things before they speak: 1) I won't offer any information back, I'll only listen, and 2) I will tell my patient that you called and this is what you said.

Yes this is what my child’s therapist does. My DD is 13 and the therapist doesn’t tell me anything.

[Anonymous]

FYI, since many therapists, psychiatrists, etc in the DC area don't accept insurance, it's worth noting that they probably don't fall under HIPAA. However, they are still ethically bound to protect patients' privacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI, since many therapists, psychiatrists, etc in the DC area don't accept insurance, it's worth noting that they probably don't fall under HIPAA. However, they are still ethically bound to protect patients' privacy.

I could be misunderstanding, but I don't think HIPAA is restricted by whether a provider accepts insurance. Do you have a cite?

[Anonymous]

Practitioners must be HIPPA compliant regardless of insurance.