Seeking professional help causes reservation for most individuals because of its stigma with some people in society. Post-rehab patients often ask and are curious about, does rehab shows up on medical records? Will you also worry about your school employment or your family finding out you have alcohol or drug problems? And when it comes to that type of recovery treatment, your privacy will always be a major concern. This article will help you find out if rehab history shows up on medical records.
Looking into how and when your personal information may be used will give confidence in deciding when to begin your recovery journey. It helps when you are aware of your rights under the laws and regulations. As a patient, your major right is to have your rehab record kept confidential and private.
HEAL Behavioral Health’s West Palm Beach Treatment Center
Does Rehab Show Up On Medical Records
The answer to the question, does rehab show up on medical records is a resounding no!
Your rehab record is not for public knowledge. You are the sole person who will decide if you will disclose that confidential information to anyone. However, outside of self-disclosure of your medical records, HIPAA gets you protected.
United States legislation has HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, first passed in 1996. This law safeguards the medical information of all individuals. It provides data privacy restrictions and security provisions about the release of health care information. HIPAA does not disclose any information without your explicit consent as they consider your record as sacred.
The knowledge of an individual’s rights to privacy and confidentiality is important to every person. Patients who seek recovery treatment have confidence that information about recovery treatment will not be disclosed most likely succeed with the journey. However, there will always be few exceptions to the strict confidentiality rules when the court order requires your written consent to get a copy of your treatment program.
Who can see the rehab medical records?
There’s no need to wear a shameful face if you have that eagerness to treat substance abuse. The rehabilitation process helps a patient’s personal development and may record a little information about you!
Yes, it will be recorded for some purposes, but not for everyone’s knowledge. There are still some people in the world who just might not understand, but there is no need to fret about whether rehab shows up on medical records. The person who undergoes or who underwent a recovery treatment has sole control over the rehab medical records. And again, yes, your medical record is available but not for public viewing, more so when there’s no explicit consent from you.
The concerned individual may choose to share with the following people that he or she is undergoing or has undergone recovery treatment
1. Spouse of Life Partner
Sharing rehab medical records with a spouse or life partner will develop more understanding of what the person is going through. It will avoid unpleasant surprises soon and will keep the relationship stronger. But that is when the trust was already established in the relationship.
2. Family
Having a rich source of support from the family will allow the concerned person to disclose the rehab medical records. Having people around who understand why a person is undergoing a recovery treatment adds confidence that the treatment will be successful. There’s really nothing to be ashamed of about it.
3. Workplace
On the other hand, at the workplace, the situation is totally different. It’s not accepted, but it’s undeniable that there’s still a great deal of stigma associated with recovery treatment. An employee can either disclose or not the recovery treatment he underwent through. Others opt to discuss rehabilitation with employers to take advantage of some legal help and exceptions.
4. Health Insurance Company
The Health Insurance Company has financial records of the recovery treatment, but they must comply with the similar privacy or confidentiality laws that recovery treatment rehabs have in place. Without the patient’s consent, any rehab medical records should not be publicized.
Privacy and Confidentiality Exceptions to the Rules
Federal Regulations are created to protect your privacy and confidentiality for recovery treatment. There are some exceptions where your records can be disclosed even without your consent
Medical Emergencies
In these cases, does rehab show up on medical records? The answer is Yes!
These exceptions have all the valid reasons why they need to get through your medical records without your consent.
Rehab Medical Records Affecting Reputation
Successful recovery treatment comes with a variety of emotions afterward. It’s normal to be at a crossroads with everything. It can be a feeling of empowerment with the confidence of being a better person. It can also be the feeling of defeat, knowing that the stigma is undeniable and is still at the back of your mind even after a successful recovery treatment. These are just natural feelings that come along with the new journey after recovery treatment.
Patients still have the same question doubting their reputation, and with the thought of the same question if – does rehab shows up on medical records?”
We already have the answer. And it is a No.
At the crossroads, whether picking up where you left off on your career or trying something new, your rehab records shouldn’t get into your way of achieving your goals in life. Some reminders will help you achieve your sobriety goal. For instance, you must avoid any unacceptable behavior in public that can quickly add up to a damaged reputation. An embarrassing photo or video gives everyone the idea of being a paparazzi and post it right away to their social media accounts. That is a sure added stain to your reputation.
Rehab Medical Records Affecting Employment.
Employers are not prohibited from asking about applicants or employees’ criminal histories. They cannot use the information to discriminate against someone with a criminal background. This is what the EEOC is all about.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal laws stating that it is illegal to discriminate against an employee or a job applicant due to their national origin, race, sex, religion, color, age, disability, or genetic information.
These laws are applied in any type of work situation, such as hiring and training, promotions and firing, wages and benefits, and even harassment.
If you are still worried about your rehab showing up on medical records? There is the ADA law that protects individuals who have rehab records from discrimination in the workplace. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA gives you the right to stay at your job even if you decide to undergo recovery treatment or have already finished that journey.
If you feel violated by this right, you can file a lawsuit for invasion of privacy under your state’s laws.
Conclusion
Does seeking professional help still cause reservations on you due to privacy issues? Does rehab show up on medical records?
If these questions still bother you, this article is created to know your rights and have confidence that your privacy and confidentiality are protected. There’s no need to be ashamed and guilty because your records are absolutely safe and protected under federal and state laws.
