When is it appropriate to obtain a Release of Information (ROI) from a client?

• A. When sharing information with other providers or family as needed for coordinated care, with client consent and within legal limits
• B. Without client consent for any reason
• C. Only after legal judgment is issued
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

Obtaining a Release of Information is appropriate whenever you need to share a client’s information with other providers or family members who are involved in the client’s care, to support coordinated services. The key is that this sharing happens only with the client’s consent and within legal limits. This respects the client’s autonomy and privacy while enabling the treatment team to work together effectively.

A proper ROI should be specific and limited: it names exactly what information can be released, to whom, for what purpose, and for how long. The client should understand what they’re signing, and the consent should be documented and can be revoked at any time (subject to any legal or program requirements). In emergencies or when there’s a mandatory reporting obligation, disclosures may occur without prior consent as required by law, but otherwise consent is the rule.

So, sharing information with other providers or with family for coordinated care, and doing so only with the client’s consent and within legal limits, is the correct approach.