SAMHSA 42 CFR Part 2 (2025 Updates)

Session Overview:

Handling sensitive behavioral health information—such as mental health, substance use, and alcohol abuse records—requires a solid understanding of both HIPAA and SAMHSA regulations. This in-depth 90-minute session will walk you through the 2024–2025 updates to these federal laws, highlighting key differences, similarities, and common pitfalls.

You’ll learn how to properly manage, secure, and release protected information under HIPAA and SAMHSA 42 CFR Part 2, and how to safeguard your organization from severe legal and financial consequences associated with non-compliance. Real-world examples and frequently asked questions will be used to help clarify when and how each regulation applies.

Why You Should Attend:

If your organization handles any form of substance use or mental health records, this training is essential. While HIPAA and SAMHSA both protect patient privacy, they do so in distinct ways—and failing to understand these differences can expose your practice to audits, fines, or even criminal charges.

In this session, you will:

• Explore when each regulation applies

• Understand the risks of mishandling sensitive behavioral health records

• Learn best practices to stay compliant and avoid enforcement actions

• Get clear answers to common compliance questions from a regulatory expert

Key Topics Covered:

• 2025 regulatory updates and their implications

• Understanding SAMHSA’s 42 CFR Part 2 and how it differs from HIPAA

• How to determine whether Part 2 applies to your organization

• Guidelines for the proper release of substance abuse and mental health records

• Documentation standards and release authorizations

• Real-life enforcement examples and penalties for non-compliance

• Comparative case studies: HIPAA vs. SAMHSA in action

• Practical strategies to reduce breach risks and prepare for audits

Who Should Attend:

• Practice Managers & Compliance Officers

• Business Associates (billing, coding, transcription, IT, legal, etc.)

• Physicians, Mental Health Providers, and Addiction Specialists

• Medical Directors, Healthcare Administrators, and Legal Counsel

• Any healthcare professional handling behavioral health or substance use records