Question

Do you need authorization before releasing psychotherapy notes?
a) Yes
b) No

Answer 1

Yes, specific authorization is required to release psychotherapy notes, as they have additional protections under HIPAA compared to other medical records.

Step-by-step explanation:

Yes, you need authorization before releasing psychotherapy notes. Psychotherapy notes are treated differently from other types of medical records under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which provides federal protections for personal health information.

These notes are the personal notes of the therapist and are kept separate from the rest of the individual's medical record. HIPAA requires specific authorization to release psychotherapy notes; this is more stringent than the general consent for release of medical records.