A client wishes to pay for clinical social work services with her managed care health insurance. According to ethical standards of informed consent, the social worker?

• A. May share confidential information with the managed care company with the client's written authorization.
• B. Must never share confidential information with the managed care company.
• C. May share confidential information without the client's consent for billing.
• D. Should disclose all client information to the insurer.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how consent controls sharing confidential information for billing. When a client wants to use her managed care insurance for services, the social worker may disclose necessary information to the insurer only with the client’s written authorization. This authorization should specify what will be shared and for what purpose, and the social worker should limit disclosure to information essential for billing and coordinating care. If the client signs this authorization, the insurer can receive the minimum needed data to process payment and understand the treatment context; without it, the social worker should not share beyond what is required by law. Disclosing all information or sharing without consent would violate the client’s confidentiality and informed consent requirements.