04/20/2023
Many people are not aware that the State of Connecticut is creating a centralized Health Information Exchange (HIE) that will compile all medical records from every provider you see, or have seen, into one database & it will not be overseen by the state but rather a third party non-profit organization.
Many people are also not aware that there are special provisions within HIPPA for Behavioral Health records that require special consents to release even basic client information such as name & data of birth. The NASW CT Executive Director & the Attorney they have hired to deal with the privacy issues have advised that anyone in the Behavioral Health field register with CONNIE by the May 3rd deadline but DO NOT sign the contract that they send after you register - it would violate HIPPA under the Behavioral Health provisions to share any client information with CONNIE.
Providers - THERE ARE NO consequences if you don’t sign the contract & if anyone is told directly from a CONNIE representative that there will be (i.e. fines, licensing denied/revoked/suspended, etc.), please reach out to the NASW CT Executive Director.
The links below are for the Opt Out option for individuals who do not want the information shared with CONNIE & the link to the detailed article written my the Attorney that the NASW CT has enlisted to help.
https://conniect.org/for-patients/opt-out/?amp
https://dmclawllc.com/2022/12/14/connie-cts-health-information-exchange-and-providers-obligations-to-participate/
For Patients Privacy and Security Opt Out Can I Opt Out of Connie? Yes. You decide if you want Connie to share your health information. You can opt out of Connie at any time by clicking on the ‘online application’ link below. Once you opt-out, your health information will be deleted from.....
