OBLIGATION TO REPORT/DUTY TO WARN
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Participating providers must comply with all applicable state and federal child/elder abuse and other reporting laws.

The duty to warn a potential victim of possible harm from a patient may override the usual right to confidentiality of which an individual is assured when speaking to a clinician.  This applies to any VBH-PA participating provider who receives information during assessment or treatment.  In any threatening situation, relevant clinical data or history may be released to authorities.  If a provider believes that a patient represents a threat to self or others, the provider may be required to attempt to protect the patient and to warn the potential victim(s) in a timely manner.  It is preferable to contact the police, but the provider should warn the intended victim by telephone if that is the best way to assure the potential victim’s safety.  It is the provider’s responsibility to be thoroughly familiar with the duty-to-warn rules of the state(s) in which they practice.  VBH-PA should also be made aware of any such situation.  VBH-PA may contact the provider when we are notified first of a potential situation.  The provider will be called upon to exercise their duty-to-warn obligations in such a situation.

Members receiving Drug and Alcohol treatment cannot be identified as receiving these services.  Providers may not identify themselves as being a behavioral health professional when reporting a threat made by a member receiving Drug and Alcohol services.