Keeping your treatment information private is called confidentiality. You must sign a “Release of Information” to tell us who you want us to talk to about your treatment, and what information we can share.

Except as required by law, we cannot tell anyone, even your family members, that you receive services from us, unless you give us permission. If you receive public mental health or developmental disability services, your family members may be able to provide information to MCCMH about you to help with your treatment. Even if they do so, we cannot give information about you or your treatment to a family member without your permission.. Parents with legal and physical custody may give and receive information about their minor children (under the age of 18). Parents must sign a release to allow us to share their child’s information with others. The legally appointed guardian(s) of adults may also give and receive information about those for whom they have responsibility, and may authorize release of information to others.

There are many laws that govern your privacy when you receive medical, mental health, or substance use treatment services. One is HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA gives you specific rights to privacy, including notice about where and when your information is shared, and the right to request communication in certain ways or places. Click here for the 2023 Revised Notice of Privacy Rights.  We will provide you a new notice if we change our privacy practices, or you may ask for a Privacy Notice at any time. Information about HIPAA is posted at every MCCMH service location.

If you have questions about your privacy rights, or you believe your confidentiality has been violated, call the Office of Recipient Rights at 586-469-6528 and ask to speak with a Rights Advisor.