LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 501.10 Inclusion of Third Parties in Client Sessions
 
Policy Category:  Clinical
Distribution Level:  Directly Operated
Responsible Party: Directly Operated Programs
 
Approved by Curley L. Bonds, MD, Chief Medical Officer
Reviewed and Approved by Clinical Policy Committee on Sep 26, 2024
I.  PURPOSE
 
To establish policy for the inclusion of third parties in a client’s mental health session.
 
II.  DEFINITIONS
 
Assessment: A documented evaluation of a client’s mental, physical, and emotional health which is used to:
  • Create a comprehensive description of the client, including the provision of a diagnosis;
  • Determine whether a client meets medical necessity; and
  • Guide the development of treatment goals.
Protected Health Information (PHI): Individually identifiable health information held or transmitted in any form or medium, whether electronic, paper, or oral, relating to the past, present or future physical or mental health condition of an individual; the provision of health care to an individual; or the past, present or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual. The information identifies the individual or can be used to identify the individual. (45 CFR 160.103)

Third Party: A person who is not a spouse, significant other, parent, legal guardian, child, sibling, relative, or conservator of a client.

Workforce: Employees, Legal Entity Practitioners, Fee-For-Service Practitioners, Locum Tenens, Interns, Volunteers, Contract Workers, and other persons whose conduct in the performance of work for Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) or its offices, programs, or facilities is under the direct control of the LACDMH, office, or program, regardless of whether they are paid by the LACDMH.
 
III.  POLICY
 
Workforce members shall permit the presence of a third party during a client session when the client requests.

Workforce members shall advise the client of the risks and benefits of including a third party; client shall complete and sign an Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (MH 602) form.

Workforce members shall document in the clinical record the client’s request and the content of the interviewer’s advisement.
 
IV.  PROCEDURES
 
No procedures are associated with this policy.
 
V.  AUTHORITIES
 
Code of Federal Regulations Title 45 Section 164.502 (a), 164.508, and 164.514 (b)
 
VI.  ATTACHMENT