Which information cannot be disclosed to a non-VA provider without signed authorization?

Psychotherapy notes are protected under federal regulations, specifically the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and require a patient's explicit consent for disclosure to any non-VA provider. These notes contain sensitive information related to a patient's mental health treatment and can include the therapist’s observations and insights that are not part of the standard medical record.

Unlike other types of health information, which may be disclosed under certain circumstances without the need for explicit patient authorization, psychotherapy notes are treated with a higher level of confidentiality. This is to ensure that patients can seek mental health treatment without fear of their most private thoughts and feelings being shared without their consent. In contrast, data such as patient demographics, lab results, and discharge summaries may be shared without separate consent under specific conditions, especially if they are required for patient care or health coordination purposes.