Confidentiality

CCMC Glossary of Terms

Confidential Communications: Certain classes of communications, passing between persons who stand in a confidential or fiduciary relation to each other (or who, on account of their relative situation, are under a special duty of secrecy and fidelity), that the law will not permit to be divulged.

Important Concepts

At the beginning of the Case Manager-client relationship, Case Managers are to inform the client that any information obtained through the relationship may be disclosed to third parties. This includes payers, service providers and government authorities. The information shared is limited to what is necessary and relevant.

It is important that the Case Manager maintain client records in any form, including written, taped, computerized, or stored on other medium, in a manner to ensure confidentiality. These records are to be destroyed in a manner ensuring preservation of confidentiality when appropriate.

HIPPA covers release of protected health information released, transferred or divulged outside the agency.
When can confidentiality be broken?

  • After receiving a written authorization from the patient
  • To comply with a court order or subpoena
  • To report suspected neglect or exploitation of a child, elder or resident of a long term care facility
  • To report births
  • To report suspicious or unusual deaths
  • To report specific diseases as required by public health laws
  • To protect others from possible harmful actions
  • To protect the client from harming himself
  • Treatment of patients with a physical injury that was inflicted by non accidental means such as a stabbing or gunshot wound