CMS SOM App. H, Tag V514

The patient’s comprehensive assessment must

include, but is not limited to, the following: (11) Evaluation of family and other support

systems.

Interpretive Guidance §494.80(a)(11)

This evaluation should start with an interview of the patient. If one or more members of the IDT

need to seek additional protected health information about the patient from family or other

supporting individuals, a health care provider may discuss the patient’s health information if the

patient agrees or, when given the opportunity, does not object. Generally, the HIPAA Privacy

Rule allows staff to ask family members involved in the individual’s care or other caregivers for

information they may know about a patient to help the IDT provide care for the patient. HIPAA

does not prohibit a staff member from educating a family member or other support person

involved in the individual’s care about how to assist the patient with diet, medications, and

coping with kidney failure. Educating the patient with family or other caregiver(s) (when

possible) ensures that everyone receives the same information. For more information about

when a health care provider is allowed to share a patient’s health information with the patient’s

family members, friends, or others identified by the patient, see HIPAA’s guide for

Communicating with a Patient’s Family, Friends, or Others Involved in the Patient's Care.

Areas to be evaluated include family composition and history, the patient’s willingness to seek

help, and spiritual or religious support systems. Some or all portions of this evaluation may

overlap with the requirements for the psychosocial assessment described at V510.

Pediatric patients present special situations. Facilities that treat pediatric patients must have

policies that address the need to evaluate the family and other support systems of the pediatric

patients.