Under 42 U.S.C. 290dd-2, which disclosure is NOT allowed without written consent?

Under 42 U.S.C. 290dd-2, which disclosure is NOT allowed without written consent?

• A. Written patient consent
• B. Court order
• C. Disclosure to medical personnel in a medical emergency
• D. Disclosure to a friend not involved in treatment

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that records from substance use disorder treatment are protected and can only be shared with written patient consent, with a few narrowly defined exceptions. You can disclose with the patient’s written consent, or you can share without consent in specific situations like a medical emergency to treat the patient or when a court issues a valid order that requires disclosure (often with safeguards). Disclosing information to someone not involved in the patient’s treatment—such as a friend who is not part of the care team—falls outside these permitted exceptions, so it cannot be done without the patient’s written consent.

The key idea is that records from substance use disorder treatment are protected and can only be shared with written patient consent, with a few narrowly defined exceptions. You can disclose with the patient’s written consent, or you can share without consent in specific situations like a medical emergency to treat the patient or when a court issues a valid order that requires disclosure (often with safeguards). Disclosing information to someone not involved in the patient’s treatment—such as a friend who is not part of the care team—falls outside these permitted exceptions, so it cannot be done without the patient’s written consent.