Patient’s Rights

Patient’s Rights

ABC is committed to protecting your healthcare information. This means that we keep your healthcare information private and confidential. Our staff follow HIPAA guidelines. You can learn more about HIPAA and privacy on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website.

Confidentiality notice: Some information will be entered by ABC staff into a database managed by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS) for the purpose of tracking infectious diseases.

If an individual tests positive (reactive) for HIV or Syphilis, you will be contacted by a Disease Intervention Specialist to assist with treatment/counseling options.

ABC will ensure that Personal Health Information is protected by taking extra measures to ensure confidentiality.

If you are a minor (under the age of 18 in Texas and New Mexico), you can consent to an HIV or STI test without a parent or guardian.

Texas: Texas Family Code §32.003 – Consent to Treatment by Child (https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.32.htm32.003

New Mexico:  New Mexico Statutes §24-1-9 – Capacity to Consent to Examination, Preventive Care, and Treatment for a Sexually Transmitted Infection https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2019/chapter-24/article-1/section-24-1-9/

ABC can offer HIV and STI testing to anyone age 12 and above. If you come to ABC for testing, we will not inform your parents or guardians, unless your health is at immediate risk or if disclosure is mandated by another law (e.g., court orders or specific institutional policies), confidentiality could be breached.