Health Care Authority releases guidance on sharing SUD information

Washington State’s Health Care Authority has released guidance on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) information, Sharing Substance Use Disorder Information: A Guide for Washington State. The guidance sets out information about the health care privacy laws that apply to the exchange of SUD information, including HIPAA, Washington’s Uniform Health Care Information Act (RCW 70.02), as well as 42 CFR Part 2, which applies specifically to SUD information. The guidance addresses disclosure of information with and without consent, common exchange of information scenarios, and includes provider and patient educational materials. HCA plans to offer webinars in the near future to help answer questions about the guidance. WSHA will circulate webinar information as it becomes available.