Patient Confidentiality for Teens

Confidentiality means privacy. It means that when you, as a young person 12 to 17 years old, talk with your healthcare provider about certain issues like sex, drugs and feelings, that person will not tell your parents or guardians what you talk about unless you give permission.

If you’re covered under your parent’s health insurance through age 26, you can get services like birth control, STI and pregnancy tests or outpatient mental health services from your usual healthcare provider and keep that information private.

What Should I Talk About With My Healthcare Provider?

You can talk to the doctor or nurse about anything. Let them know:

• If you think you may be pregnant
• If you need birth control.
• If you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• If you need information about alcohol, tobacco or other drug use.
• If you want to talk about personal, school or family issues or feelings about sex and sexuality.

However, some things cannot remain confidential. Your healthcare provider must contact someone if you say:

• You are being abused physically or sexually.
• You are going to hurt yourself or someone else.
• You are under 16 and having sex with someone 21 years or older.
• You are under 14 and having sex with someone 14 years or older.

What Will My Healthcare Provider Tell My Parents?

According to California law, your healthcare provider can’t tell your parents or guardians anything about your exam if you’re seen for any confidential services (excluding the reasons listed above).

This privacy includes care for problems or concerns in the areas of sexuality, mental health and substance abuse. You, as a young person, can consent for care on your own in these areas. You need your parent or guardian’s consent for other health services, such as physicals and treatment for colds, flu and injuries.

Even though you don’t have to ask your parents before you get confidential care, it’s a good idea to talk with them or another trusted adult about your medical needs.

Sexual Health Medical Care

In California, you can get a sexual health checkup – including STI screening – at any age, without parental consent.

If a STI is discovered and you’re afraid your parents will find out, you have a right to confidential treatment. Please discuss the best means to ensure your confidentiality with your doctor.

Insurance Considerations

Although your healthcare provider can’t tell your parents about confidential services you receive, your insurance may not have the same policy. When discussing confidentiality with your health provider, ask if the services or tests you receive will show up on your parents’ insurance statement.

Your provider can stop the billing or, by using the Confidential Communication Request, you can stop the insurance company from sending an explanation of benefits (EOB) statement to your parents.

If you use a clinic or community resource, such as Planned Parenthood, ask about their confidentiality practices.

Abortion Access

California law allows women to attain an abortion at any age without parental consent. California has fewer abortion restrictions compared with other states. There are no requirements regarding parental involvement, waiting periods or constraints on publicly funded abortion.

Although California law gives you the right to have an abortion without parental consent, the procedure can be an extremely difficult experience emotionally and physically. If you’re thinking about getting an abortion, consider talking to a parent or trusted adult before making such a big decision.

Sex Education

California law requires schools to teach sex education to students in grades 7 to 12.

When educating students about sex, California schools are required to teach students about abstinence, the effectiveness and safety of various contraceptive methods, and HIV prevention.

Last Reviewed: December 2019