Oklahoma Bureaucrats Want Your Mental Health Records

Curt and Katie chat about some Oklahoma legislation about health information exchange. We talk about what a health information exchange is, the concerns with Oklahoma’s legislation related to health information exchange, and how therapists can advocate effectively (as modern therapists in Oklahoma have done).

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about new Oklahoma legislation

We look at “coordinated care” and the problems that could ensue if therapists are required to participate in the health information exchange.

What are health information exchanges?

· A central location for all health providers to chart to help with coordination of care

· Psychotherapy notes are not required to be put into these systems, but diagnosis, treatment dates, and prescriptions seem to be required.

· Patients can opt out of this information being shared, but it will still be stored in these databases

What are the concerns with the new Oklahoma legislation related to health information exchange?

· Oklahoma is now asking to put medical information into a system regardless of whether they are on Medicaid or any other type of service as well as for folks who are paying out of pocket

· The price tag of connecting to this system is high

· The confusion around whether therapists are “medical providers” or not

· Interstate practice can be impacted

What can therapists do to understand and impact legislation?

· Acknowledge that we’re healthcare providers to stay aware of responsibilities

· Watching legislation that is relevant

· Being involved in your professional organization or member benefit organization, so you know that there is someone watching for these types of legislation and prepped for advocacy

· Advocacy and activism within these orgs as well as individual and small group advocacy

· Understanding the concerns related to lack of privacy for clients

· All 50 states have a health information exchange, so all clinicians need to pay attention

· Paying attention from the bill writing process all the way through implementation

· Going to public meetings to provide feedback on implementation

· Donate to your professional association’s Political Action Committees

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

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