Source: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/hipaa.html
Timestamp: 2019-03-19 18:47:26
Document Index: 406510090

Matched Legal Cases: ['§4980', '§4980', '§4996', '§4999', '§1815', '§2290']

HIPAA - Board of Behavioral Sciences
§4980.02. PRACTICE OF MARRIAGE, FAMILY, AND CHILD COUNSELING; APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES AND METHODS
The application of marriage and family therapy principles and methods includes, but is not limited to, the use of applied psychotherapeutic techniques, to enable individuals to mature and grow within marriage and the family, the provision of explanations and interpretations of the psychosexual and psychosocial aspects of relationships, and the use, application, and integration of the coursework and training required by §4980.37, 4980.40, and 4980.41.
§4996.9. CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK AND PSYCHOTHERAPY DEFINED
§4999.20. SCOPE OF PRACTICE; TREATMENT OF COUPLES OR FAMILIES
LPCC: Assessment and Treatment of Couples or Families
The scope of practice for LPCCs does not include the assessment or treatment of couples or families unless the LPCC meets specific qualifications mandated by California law.
LPCCs who wish to assess and treat couples or families are required to obtain Board confirmation of qualifications, and provide a copy of that confirmation to the following:
Couple or family clients prior to commencement of treatment
The types of supervisees listed below, prior to commencement of supervision:
A Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee or Intern
An LPCC or Associate PCC who is gaining the supervised experience necessary to treat couples or families
More information is provided in the following documents:
Information on LPCC Scope of Practice, and Treatment of Couples or Families
FAQs - LPCC “Couples and Families” Treatment Requirements and Application Process
Request for Confirmation of Qualifications to Assess and Treat Couples and Families
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) enacts sweeping changes in how the healthcare professions handle the administrative details of their practices, and contains a broad and stringent framework, for the privacy and confidentiality of personally identifiable health information. This Federal statute was enacted as Public Law 104-191. Further information regarding this act can be found at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website.
The Administrative Simplification provisions of HIPAA (Title II of the Act) require HHS to establish national standards for electronic health care transactions, and national identifiers for providers, health plans, and employers. Covered entities must comply with the technical standards and data sets adopted by HHS. HIPAA also addresses the security and privacy of health data, and establishes stringent procedures, which covered persons and entities must follow, in obtaining and disclosing personally identifiable health information.
Licensing boards do not administer the provisions of HIPAA. Therefore, the Board cannot licensees with guidance, regarding HIPAA compliance. Licensees with HIPAA questions should seek answers through the following resources:
HHS's website provides a great deal of information, including frequently asked questions.
Another good source of information is the HIPAA website maintained by the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
HHS's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) implements the HIPAA privacy regulations. Guidance about the privacy requirements may be found on OCR's website at www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa.
Under law, “telehealth” is the mode of delivering health care via information and communication technologies, including, but not limited to, telephone and/or internet
Licensees may deliver health care, under their scope of practice, via telehealth, under certain conditions
Licensees are responsible for understanding all applicable laws, to deliver health care via telehealth
Failure to comply with any provisions regarding telehealth may be subject to disciplinary action by the Board
Comprehensive Requirements and Applicable Laws
Detailed explanations regarding telehealth requirements, for licensees and registrants, are contained in the following statutes and regulations:
California Code of Regulation Title 16 §1815.5: Standards of Practice for Telehealth
Business and Professions Code §2290.5
Clients in California
This section applies to clients who are physically located in California.
Individuals providing psychotherapy or counseling, either in person, via telephone, or via internet, must be licensed in California.
Clients Outside of California
This section applies to clients who are physically located out-of-state.
California licensees or registrants who wish to engage in telehealth with a client located in another jurisdiction need to check with that jurisdiction to determine its laws related to telehealth, and if licensure in that jurisdiction is required. Several states currently consider a client located in their state to be under their jurisdiction. Therefore, a practitioner needs to comply with that jurisdiction’s laws in order to avoid any potential violations of those laws.
Inform and Consent
Prior to the delivery of health care via telehealth, the provider initiating the use of telehealth shall:
Inform the patient about the use of telehealth; AND
Obtain, and document, verbal or written consent from the patient for this use
All laws regarding the confidentiality of health care information and a patient's right to their medical information shall apply to telehealth interactions.
Additional information regarding telehealth is contained in the following statutes and regulations: