STATE HOUSE (March 14, 2018) — A resolution calling for the alignment of federal regulations to improve care coordination for individuals struggling with addiction passed out of the Senate today, said State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis).
Senate Resolution 65, authored by Merritt, urges the Indiana congressional delegation to support efforts to align 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 2 with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Unlike HIPAA, regulations under 42 CFR Part 2 do not recognize case management and care coordination as allowable reasons for disclosure of patient information. This means individuals with a history of addiction are treated differently and face greater hurdles toward their recovery than patients seeking treatment for other complex or life-threatening medical conditions.
“Hospitals, health care providers, safety-net health plans, advocates for behavioral health, and state mental health officials have all called for greater alignment of the Part 2 regulations with HIPAA,” said Merritt. “It is clear that Congress needs to take action this year as they address the opioid epidemic to facilitate improved care coordination for this those who are struggling with addiction.”
Over the last few years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has attempted to modernize these regulations. However, in their latest update to these regulations, the agency noted that they aligned Part 2 with HIPAA to the extent they believe feasible, while highlighting the limitation of their authority within the governing statute.
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Contact: Lauren Beatty, Press Secretary
Lauren.Beatty@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
