Dear EFT Community,

In light of the recent news about proposals to access medical records of individuals diagnosed with autism for research. We know that for many in our community, this kind of news can bring up valid concerns about privacy, autonomy, and how sensitive information is handled. So we want to offer some reassurance and clarity about how things work at Empowered Fulfillment Therapy.

One of the main reasons we’ve chosen not to work directly with insurance is to help protect your privacy. When therapy is billed through insurance, a formal diagnosis is generally required, and that diagnosis becomes part of your permanent medical record, which may be visible across your broader healthcare network.

Since we are a private-pay (cash-pay) practice, your diagnosis and assessment information stays securely in our internal client portal and only in your chart with us. It doesn't go to insurance, it isn’t added to your general medical record, and it won’t be shared unless you choose to sign a release of information asking us to do so.

For clients who choose to submit superbills to their insurance for therapy reimbursement, we just want to gently flag that this could carry more risk. Some insurance companies require a diagnosis in order to process your claim, and if provided, that diagnosis could then become part of your medical record with them. We can often find a less impactful diagnosis to include on superbills, since many folks meet criteria for more than one diagnosis. Our therapists will always communicate which diagnosis we put on your chart prior to adding it (if we're doing so for superbills). If that’s something you’re unsure about or want to explore further, please check in directly with your insurance provider to better understand their policies.

It’s also important to note that another rare way records could be accessed is through a court subpoena. In such cases, we are generally able to provide only a summary of care, rather than full clinical notes, but we’ll always do our best to protect your privacy and advocate for your confidentiality within the legal limits.

Lastly, if you ever choose to share your autism identity (or other personal information) with external medical providers, just know they might include that in your chart unless you ask them not to. It’s always okay to advocate for what feels right to you in those conversations.

We know how important it is to feel safe and in control of your personal information, especially when it comes to your identity and mental health. If you have questions, concerns, or just want to talk more about this, we’re always here for you.

With care,

EFT