Privacy and security: Communication of behavioral health information

This BHI Collaborative-hosted interactive webinar provided an overview of the current behavioral health privacy and security landscape, reviewing what is safe, secure and permissible under applicable federal laws and regulations such as CFR 42 Part 2 and HIPAA. Experts provided key considerations regarding state BH/SUD rules and real-world insights as to how to safely integrate patient care while preserving patient privacy.

View webinar slides (PDF). 

• Lucy Hodder, JD, director of health law and policy/professor of law, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law/Institute for Health Policy and Practice, UNH

• Robin M. Motter-Mast, DO, CPE, chief of staff and medical director of care transformation, GBMC Healthcare
• Todd Peters, MD, vice president/chief medical officer and chief medical information officer, Sheppard Pratt 

The American Medical Association along with seven leading medical associations have established the BHI Collaborative, a group dedicated to catalyzing effective and sustainable integration of behavioral and mental health care into physician practices.

With a focus on primary care, the Collaborative is committed to ensuring a professionally satisfying, sustainable physician practice experience and will act as a trusted partner to help them overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of meeting their patients’ mental and behavioral health needs. 

The medical associations include: the American Medical Association, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, and the American Psychiatric Association.

Explore the AMA STEPS Forward® Innovation Academy on-demand library of webinars on physician burnout, digital health, private practice, BHI and more.

With an increased number of people reporting worsening mental health in recent years, it is imperative that people are aware of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) telephone program.

People experiencing a suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress can call, chat or text 988, and speak to trained crisis counselors. The national hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The previous National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will continue to be operational and route calls to 988 indefinitely.

Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this video are those of the participants and/or do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the AMA.