Aside from those health care providers who need to know as part of their direct involvement in a patient's care and treatment, the patient's HIV test results cannot be shared without the patient's written consent. Release of HIV status to third-party payors and/or review organizations cannot be given without the patient's written consent.
The Massachusetts statute has been designed to encourage voluntary testing while protecting the individual from the disclosure of the fact that they were tested and their test results. A violation of this statute can expose the offender to treble damages under the commonwealth's consumer protection laws.