Chapter 1 – General Administration

13030.23.5 Guidelines: Methadone Patient Information

• With the Patient’s Consent

  • If the patient gives prior written consent, designated employees (see DOMDepartment Operations Manual 13030.3.1 and 13030.17.2 for identifying designated employees) may disclose necessary written or verbal information to the following persons:

    • The patient’s attorney.

    • The patient’s immediate family members as defined in Section 3000 of the Title 15, unless the person responsible for treatment believes the disclosure would be harmful to the patient.

    • Employers and employment agencies when the information may assist in the patient’s rehabilitation.

    • A criminal justice agency which requires methadone maintenance as a condition of release, probation, parole, the disposition or status of any criminal proceedings against the patient, or pursuant to the execution or suspension of any sentence imposed upon the patient.

    • Licensed physicians when the disclosure is necessary for them to furnish medical services to the patient to whom the personal information pertains.

    • Licensed physicians when necessary to provide continued methadone maintenance when the patient is traveling, incarcerated, or hospitalized.

• Document

  • Such disclosures shall be documented as follows:

    • The name of the patient or assigned program case number.

    • The time and date of the disclosure.

    • The information disclosed.

    • The names of individuals by whom and to whom the disclosure was made.

    • The purpose for the disclosure.

• Note: Consent to disclose information under this section may not be revoked for 60 days or until the condition for which it was given has terminated, whichever is later.

• Without the Patient’s Consent

  • If the patient does not give prior written consent, designated employees may disclose information verbally or in writing to the following persons:

    • Licensed physicians to the extent required to meet a bona fide medical emergency if, upon disclosure, CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sends notification to the patient’s last known address and the disclosure does not conflict with other state or federal law.

    • Persons authorized by a court order to receive such information if, before disclosure, CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation attempts to notify the individual unless the notification is prohibited by law.

    • Qualified persons conducting authorized scientific research, management audits, financial audits, or program evaluation. The identity of individual patients shall not be disclosed, either directly or indirectly, in any resulting report.