Disclosures for Emergency Preparedness - A Decision Tool: Treatment

Treatment

• Health care providers can share patient information needed to provide treatment.
• Treatment includes:
  • Sharing information with other providers (including hospitals and clinics),
  • Referring patients for treatment (including linking patients with available providers in areas where the patients have relocated), and
  • Coordinating patient care with others (such as emergency relief workers or others that can help in finding patients appropriate health services).
• Providers can also share patient information to the extent necessary to seek payment for these health care services.
• Learn more about permitted disclosures for treatment, payment and health care operations.

The Privacy Rule defines treatment as the provision, coordination or management of health care and related services by one or more health care providers, including the coordination or management of health care by a health care provider with a third party; consultation between health care providers relating to a patient; or the referral of a patient for health care from one health care provider to another.