Jill C. Barber v. Camden Clark Memorial Hospital Corp.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
January 2018 Term
FILED
May 31, 2018
No. 17-0643 released at 3:00 p.m.
EDYTHE NASH GAISER, CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA
JILL C. BARBER,
Plaintiff Below, Petitioner
v.
CAMDEN CLARK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CORP.,
Defendant Below, Respondent
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Wood County
Honorable Jason A. Wharton, Judge
Civil Action No. 17-C-23
REVERSED AND REMANDED
Submitted: May 15, 2018
Filed: May 31, 2018
James D. McQueen, Jr., Esq. Thomas J. Hurney, Jr., Esq.
McQueen Davis, PLLC Laurie K. Miller, Esq.
Huntington, West Virginia Jackson Kelly PLLC
and Charleston, West Virginia
Christopher J. Heavens, Esq. Attorneys for Respondent
Heavens Law Firm, PLLC
Charleston, West Virginia
Attorneys for Petitioner
JUSTICE LOUGHRY delivered the Opinion of the Court.
JUSTICE WALKER, deeming herself disqualified, did not participate in the case.
JUDGE KAUFMAN, sitting by temporary assignment.
CHIEF JUSTICE WORKMAN dissents and reserve the right to file a dissenting opinion.
JUDGE KAUFMAN concurs and reserves the right to file a concurring opinion.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. “Appellate review of a circuit court’s order granting a motion to dismiss
a complaint is de novo.” Syl. Pt. 2, State ex rel. McGraw v. Scott Runyan Pontiac-Buick, Inc.,
194 W.Va. 770, 461 S.E.2d 516 (1995).
2. “Interpreting a statute or an administrative rule or regulation presents
a purely legal question subject to de novo review.” Syl. Pt. 1, Appalachian Power Co. v.
State Tax Dep’t. of WV, 195 W.Va. 573, 466 S.E.2d 424 (1995).
3. “W.Va. Code, 27-3-1(a), provides for confidentiality of communications
and information obtained in the course of treatment and evaluation of persons who may have
mental or emotional conditions or disorders, subject to the exceptions set out in W.Va. Code,
27-3-1(b).” Syl. Pt. 1, State v. Simmons, 172 W.Va. 590, 309 S.E.2d 89 (1983).
4. “There is a private tort cause of action for a violation of W.Va. Code,
27-3-1 [1977].” Syl. Pt. 1, Allen v. Smith, 179 W.Va. 360, 368 S.E.2d 924 (1988).
i
5. “Any time a subpoena duces tecum is issued to require the production
of hospital records as defined in W. Va. Code § 57-5-4a(a) (1981) (Repl.Vol.1997), whether
such records are sought in connection with a hearing, deposition, trial or other proceeding,
or are merely sought for inspection and copying, the requirements of W. Va. Code §§ 57-5­
4a–4j apply and must be followed.” Syl. Pt. 3, Keplinger v. Virginia Elec. & Power Co., 208
W.Va. 11, 537 S.E.2d 632 (2000).
6. “The primary rule of statutory construction is to ascertain and give effect
to the intention of the Legislature.” Syl. Pt. 8, Vest v. Cobb, 138 W.Va. 660, 76 S.E.2d 885
(1953).
7. “When a statute is clear and unambiguous and the legislative intent is
plain, the statute should not be interpreted by the courts, and in such case it is the duty of the
courts not to construe but to apply the statute.” Syl. Pt. 5, State v. General Daniel Morgan
Post No. 548, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 144 W.Va. 137, 107 S.E.2d 353 (1959).
8. “Statutes which relate to the same subject matter should be read and
applied together so that the Legislature’s intention can be gathered from the whole of the
enactments.” Syl. Pt. 3, Smith v. State Workmen’s Comp. Comm’r, 159 W.Va. 108, 219
S.E.2d 361 (1975).
ii
9. “[W]here two statutes are in apparent conflict, the Court must, if
reasonably possible, construe such statutes so as to give effect to each.” Syl. Pt. 4, in part,
State ex rel. Graney v. Sims, 144 W.Va 72, 105 S.E.2d 886 (1958).
10. “The general rule of statutory construction requires that a specific statute
be given precedence over a general statute relating to the same subject matter where the two
cannot be reconciled.” Syl. Pt.1, UMWA by Trumka v. Kingdon, 174 W.Va. 330, 325 S.E.2d
120 (1984).
11. “A subpoena is issued automatically by a clerk of court upon the ex
parte application of one party litigant, and although a subpoena is enforceable through the
court’s power of contempt until it has been quashed by regular, in-court proceedings, a bare
subpoena is not the type of binding court order contemplated by W.Va. Code, 27-3-1(b)(3)
[1977].” Syl. Pt. 3, Allen v. Smith, 179 W.Va. 360, 368 S.E.2d 924 (1988).
12. “It is always presumed that the legislature will not enact a meaningless
or useless statute.” Syl. Pt. 4, State ex rel. Hardesty v. Aracoma, 147 W.Va. 645, 129 S.E.2d
921 (1963).
iii
13 “A statute, or an administrative rule, may not, under the guise of
‘interpretation,’ be modified, revised, amended or rewritten.” Syl. Pt. 1, Consumer Advocate
Div.v. Public Serv. Comm’n, 182 W.Va. 152, 386 S.E.2d 650 (1989).
14. “Confidential information,” as defined by West Virginia Code § 27-3­
1(a) (2008), is not subject to disclosure under the Medical Records Act, West Virginia Code
§§ 57-5-4a through -4j (1981), unless one of the exceptions set forth in West Virginia Code
§ 27-3-1(b) applies or the patient has authorized the disclosure as provided in West Virginia
Code § 27-3-2 (2007).
15. “Common-law tort claims based upon the wrongful disclosure of
medical or personal health information are not preempted by the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act of 1996.” Syl. Pt. 3, R.K. v. St. Mary’s Med. Ctr., Inc., 229 W.Va.
712, 735 S.E.2d 715 (2012).
16. A hospital’s compliance with the Medical Records Act, West Virginia
Code §§ 57-5-4a through -4j (1981), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 when responding to a subpoena for a patient’s records does not preclude an
action based on the wrongful disclosure of confidential information in violation of West
Virginia Code § 27-3-1 (2008).
iv
LOUGHRY, Justice:
The petitioner and plaintiff below, Jill C. Barber, appeals the June 12, 2017,
order of the Circuit Court of Wood County dismissing the complaint she filed against the
respondent and defendant below, Camden Clark Memorial Hospital Corp. (“Camden Clark”),
alleging that it wrongfully disclosed her confidential mental health treatment records in a
federal court proceeding. Having considered the parties’ arguments, the submitted appendix
record, and pertinent authorities, we find the circuit court erred by dismissing the complaint.
Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court’s order and remand this case for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
I. Factual and Procedural Background
In 2014, Ms. Barber brought an action in the United States District Court for
the Southern District of West Virginia against Sedwick Claims Management Services
alleging fraud in connection with the handling of a worker’s compensation claim.1 In
January 2016, during the federal proceeding, Sedwick, through its counsel, Frith Anderson
& Peak, served a subpoena duces tecum on Camden Clark requesting all of Ms. Barber’s
medical records. Specifically, the subpoena sought production of:
1
Ms. Barber’s worker’s compensation claim concerned an injury she sustained while
employed by Family Dollar.
1
All Medical Records of Jill C. Barber . . . generated by any and
all health care providers which are in your possession; inclusive
of correspondence, referrals, hospital admission sheets, patient
intake and information sheets, progress notes, medical reports,
discharge summaries, E.R. records, medical test results and data,
medical opinions, physical therapy records, rehabilitation
records, lab tests, radiology and x-ray reports (and/or films if
specified)[.]
Ms. Barber received notice of the subpoena but did not file a motion to quash nor object in
any way.
On February 8, 2016, Camden Clark responded to the subpoena by producing
more than one thousand pages of documents including hospital records reflecting that Ms.
Barber had received in-patient mental health treatment when she was a teenager.2 Frith,
Anderson & Peak provided copies of the medical records produced by Camden Clark to Ms.
Barber’s counsel on February 26, 2016. Ms. Barber’s counsel did not review the documents,
and Ms. Barber never informed her counsel of her mental health treatment as a teenager.
On March 7, 2016, Ms. Barber was deposed in the federal court case. During
her deposition, Ms. Barber was asked whether she had ever received any psychiatric or
mental health treatment in her lifetime. When she replied “no,” she was confronted with her
2
According to the complaint, Ms. Barber received mental health treatment at St.
Joseph’s Hospital, which was purchased by West Virginia United Health System in 2011 and
merged with Camden Clark to create a regional medical center.
2
mental health records that had been produced by Camden Clark. Thereafter, Ms. Barber filed
this action in the Circuit Court of Wood County.
In her January 23, 2017, complaint, Ms. Barber alleged that Camden Clark
breached its “statutory and common law duty to restrict access to [her] mental health medical
records, including those defined as ‘confidential information’ under [West Virginia Code]
§ 27-3-1 (2008).”3 Ms. Barber asserted that Camden Clark had disclosed her confidential
3
Located in Chapter 27, which addresses “Mentally Ill Persons,” West Virginia Code
§ 27-3-1 is titled “Definition of confidential information; disclosure.” When Ms. Barber filed
her complaint, the statute provided in its entirety, as follows:
(a) Communications and information obtained in the course of
treatment or evaluation of any client or patient are confidential
information. Such confidential information includes the fact that
a person is or has been a client or patient, information
transmitted by a patient or client or family thereof for purposes
relating to diagnosis or treatment, information transmitted by
persons participating in the accomplishment of the objectives of
diagnosis or treatment, all diagnoses or opinions formed
regarding a client’s or patient’s physical, mental or emotional
condition, any advice, instructions or prescriptions issued in the
course of diagnosis or treatment, and any record or
characterization of the matters hereinbefore described. It does
not include information which does not identify a client or
patient, information from which a person acquainted with a
client or patient would not recognize such client or patient and
uncoded information from which there is no possible means to
identify a client or patient.
(b) Confidential information shall not be disclosed, except:
3
(1) In a proceeding under section four [§ 27-5-4], article five of
this chapter to disclose the results of an involuntary examination
made pursuant to section two [§ 27-5-2], three [§ 27-5-3] or four
[§ 27-5-4] of said article;
(2) In a proceeding under article six-a [§§ 27-6A-1 et seq.] of
this chapter to disclose the results of an involuntary examination
made pursuant thereto;
(3) Pursuant to an order of any court based upon a finding that
the information is sufficiently relevant to a proceeding before
the court to outweigh the importance of maintaining the
confidentiality established by this section;
(4) To provide notice to the federal National Instant Criminal
Background Check System, established pursuant to section
103(d) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, 18 U. S.
C.§ 922, in accordance with article seven-a [§§ 61A-7A-1 et
seq.], chapter sixty-one of this code;
(5) To protect against a clear and substantial danger of imminent
injury by a patient or client to himself, herself or another;
(6) For treatment or internal review purposes, to staff of the
mental health facility where the patient is being cared for or to
other health professionals involved in treatment of the patient;
and
(7) Without the patient’s consent as provided for under the
Privacy Rule of the federal Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996, 45 C. F. R. § 164.506, for thirty
days from the date of admission to a mental health facility if: (i)
The provider makes a good faith effort to obtain consent from
the patient or legal representative prior to disclosure; (ii) the
minimum information necessary is released for a specifically
stated purpose; and (iii) prompt notice of the disclosure, the
recipient of the information and the purpose of the disclosure is
given to the patient or legal representative.
4
information without her consent and without a court order as provided in West Virginia Code
§ 27-3-1(b)(3). Ms. Barber also asserted a claim for intentional infliction of emotional
distress. Ms. Barber alleged she “was in denial about her prior psychiatric treatment and did
not inform anyone, including her attorney, that she had been treated for mental health as an
adolescent” and “[u]pon being confronted with this confidential material . . . [she] suffered
extreme emotional distress, humiliation and embarrassment.”
In response to the complaint, Camden Clark filed a motion to dismiss pursuant
to Rule 12(b)(6) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure.4 Camden Clark asserted that
it had fully complied with the Medical Records Act, West Virginia Code § 57-5-4a to -4j
(1981) (hereinafter the “Act”),5 and 45 C.F.R. § 164.512 (2016), the corresponding federal
regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (hereinafter
“HIPAA regulation”),6 which govern a non-party hospital’s response to a subpoena for
W.Va. Code 27-3-1 (2008). The statute was subsequently amended in 2017 and 2018. We
discuss the 2018 amendment in note 10, infra.
4
Rule 12(b)(6) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure provides for dismissal
of a complaint for “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”
5
The relevant portions of the Act are set forth in the discussion section, infra.
6
45 C.F.R. §164.512 provides, in pertinent part:
(e) Standard: Disclosures for judicial and administrative
proceedings. (1) Permitted disclosures. A covered entity may
disclose protected health information in the course of any
judicial or administrative proceeding:
5
....
(ii) In response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other
lawful process, that is not accompanied by an order of a court or
administrative tribunal, if:
(A) The covered entity receives satisfactory assurance, as
described in paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section, from the party
seeking the information that reasonable efforts have been made
by such party to ensure that the individual who is the subject of
the protected health information that has been requested has
been given notice of the request; or
(B) The covered entity receives satisfactory assurance, as
described in paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this section, from the party
seeking the information that reasonable efforts have been made
by such party to secure a qualified protective order that meets
the requirements of paragraph (e)(1)(v) of this section.
(iii) For the purposes of paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this
section, a covered entity receives satisfactory assurances from
a party seeking protected health information if the covered entity
receives from such party a written statement and accompanying
documentation demonstrating that:
(A) The party requesting such information has made a
good faith attempt to provide written notice to the individual (or,
if the individual’s location is unknown, to mail a notice to the
individual’s last known address);
(B) The notice included sufficient information about the
litigation or proceeding in which the protected health
information is requested to permit the individual to raise an
objection to the court or administrative tribunal; and
(C) The time for the individual to raise objections to the
court or administrative tribunal has elapsed, and:
(1) No objections were filed; . . .
....
(iv) For the purposes of paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(B) of this
section, a covered entity receives satisfactory assurances from
a party seeking protected health information, if the covered
entity receives from such party a written statement and
accompanying documentation demonstrating that:
(A) The parties to the dispute giving rise to the request
6
medical records. Camden Clark argued that Ms. Barber’s failure to plead a violation of the
Act and the HIPAA regulation required dismissal of her complaint. Following a hearing on
the matter, the circuit court entered an order on June 12, 2017, dismissing Ms. Barber’s
statutory and common law claims. The circuit court found that “a patient cannot rely on the
protections of West Virginia Code § 27-3-1 to bring an action against a hospital that properly
complied with West Virginia and/or HIPAA regulations in responding to a subpoena for the
patient’s medical records where the patient never raised an objection to the subpoena[.]”
Upon dismissal of her complaint, Ms. Barber filed this appeal.
for information have agreed to a qualified protective order and
have presented it to the court or administrative tribunal with
jurisdiction over the dispute; or
(B) The party seeking the protected health information
has requested a qualified protective order from such court or
administrative tribunal.
(v) For purposes of paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a
qualified protective order means, with respect to protected
health information requested under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this
section, an order of a court or of an administrative tribunal or a
stipulation by the parties to the litigation or administve
proceeding that:
(A) Prohibits the parties from using or disclosing the
protected health information for any purpose other than the
litigation or proceeding for which such information was
requested; and
(B) Requires the return to the covered entity or
destruction of the protected health information (including all
copies made) at the end of the litigation or proceeding.
7
II. Standard of Review
Our standard for reviewing a circuit court’s dismissal of a complaint is well
established: “Appellate review of a circuit court’s order granting a motion to dismiss a
complaint is de novo.” Syl. Pt. 2, State ex rel. McGraw v. Scott Runyan Pontiac-Buick, Inc.,
194 W.Va. 770, 461 S.E.2d 516 (1995). As discussed above, the circuit court dismissed Ms.
Barber’s complaint based on its finding that Camden Clark had complied with certain
statutory and regulatory provisions. When reviewing a legal question involving statutory
interpretation, we also employ the de novo standard. As set forth in syllabus point one of
Appalachian Power Company v. State Tax Department of West Virginia, 195 W.Va. 573,
466 S.E.2d 424 (1995): “Interpreting a statute or an administrative rule or regulation
presents a purely legal question subject to de novo review.” Under this plenary standard, we
consider the parties’ arguments.
III. Discussion
Ms. Barber contends that the circuit court erred by finding that her mental
health records were properly disclosed by Camden Clark pursuant to the Act and the
corresponding HIPAA regulation. She argues that her mental health records were not subject
to disclosure absent her written consent or a court order as provided in West Virginia Code
§ 27-3-1(b)(3), the exception that would have allowed disclosure of her confidential mental
health records during the federal proceeding. Ms. Barber further disputes the circuit court’s
8
finding that by failing to object to the subpoena, she authorized the disclosure of her
confidential mental health records. Finally, she maintains that neither the Act, nor the
HIPAA regulation, precludes an action against a hospital that discloses mental health records
in violation of West Virginia Code § 27-3-1.
We have previously recognized that “W.Va. Code, 27-3-1(a), provides for
confidentiality of communications and information obtained in the course of treatment and
evaluation of persons who may have mental or emotional conditions or disorders, subject to
the exceptions set out in W.Va.Code, 27-3-1(b).” Syl. Pt. 1, State v. Simmons, 172 W.Va.
590, 309 S.E.2d 89 (1983). We have also observed that “[t]his [statute’s] location in Chapter
27 relating to mentally ill persons . . . suggest[s] that the legislature intended this
confidentiality with regard to communication and information to be maintained between
mental health professionals and their clients.” Id. at 597, 309 S.E.2d at 96. Accordingly, we
have held that “there is a private tort cause of action for a violation of W.Va.Code, 27-3-1
[1977].” Syl. Pt. 1, Allen v. Smith, 179 W.Va. 360, 368 S.E.2d 924 (1988).
West Virginia Code §§ 57-5-4b through -4j provides the procedure that
hospitals must follow to disclose medical records in response to a subpoena. With regard to
the Act, we have stated that
[a]ny time a subpoena duces tecum is issued to require
the production of hospital records as defined in W.Va. Code §
9
57-5-4a(a) (1981) (Repl.Vol.1997), whether such records are
sought in connection with a hearing, deposition, trial or other
proceeding, or are merely sought for inspection and copying, the
requirements of W.Va. Code §§ 57-5-4a–4j apply and must be
followed.
Syl. Pt. 3, Keplinger v. Virginia Elec. & Power Co., 208 W.Va. 11, 537 S.E.2d 632 (2000).
Under West Virginia Code § 57-5-4a(a) (1981),
“[r]ecords” means and includes without restriction, those
medical histories, records, reports, summaries, diagnoses, and
prognoses, records of treatment and medication ordered and
given, notes, entries, X-rays, and other written or graphic data
prepared, kept, made or maintained in hospitals that pertain to
hospital confinements or hospital services rendered to patients
admitted to hospitals or receiving emergency room or outpatient
care. Such records shall not, however, include ordinary business
records pertaining to patients’ accounts or the administration of
the institution.
(Emphasis added). In this case, there is no dispute that Camden Clark complied with the
statutory procedure for production of its records. The issue is whether Ms. Barber has a
claim against Camden Clark because it included documentation of her mental health
treatment in the records it produced although no court order or written consent authorized the
disclosure.
Relying upon the “without restriction” language in West Virginia Code § 57-5­
4a(a) and the fact that the subpoena requested “all medical records” of Ms. Barber, Camden
Clark reasons that it was required to disclose her mental health records. Because it complied
with the Act and corresponding HIPAA regulation and because Ms. Barber never objected
10
to the subpoena, Camden Clark argues that she has no cause of action for wrongful disclosure
of her mental health records. In other words, Camden Clark contends that under these facts
and circumstances, West Virginia Code § 27-3-1 simply does not apply.
In considering the meaning of statutory provisions, we are guided by our rules
of statutory construction. It is well established that “[t]he primary rule of statutory
construction is to ascertain and give effect to the intention of the Legislature.” Syl. Pt. 8, Vest
v. Cobb, 138 W.Va. 660, 76 S.E.2d 885 (1953). To that end, “[w]hen a statute is clear and
unambiguous and the legislative intent is plain, the statute should not be interpreted by the
courts, and in such case it is the duty of the courts not to construe but to apply the statute.”
Syl. Pt. 5, State v. General Daniel Morgan Post No. 548, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 144
W.Va. 137, 107 S.E.2d 353 (1959); see also Syl. Pt. 2, State v. Epperly, 135 W.Va. 877, 65
S.E.2d 488 (1951) (“A statutory provision which is clear and unambiguous and plainly
expresses the legislative intent will not be interpreted by the courts but will be given full
force and effect.”).
Given the inclusion of the words “without restriction” in West Virginia Code
§ 57-5-4a(a), documentation of mental health treatment clearly falls within the definition of
“records,” which are subject to disclosure pursuant to a subpoena under the Act. However,
those mental health records are also clearly deemed “confidential information” and not
11
subject to disclosure under West Virginia Code § 27-3-1(a) unless one of the exceptions set
forth in West Virginia § 27-3-1(b)7 applies or the patient gives written consent as provided
in West Virginia Code § 27-3-2 (2007).8 Thus, while the Act provides for the production of
mental health treatment records pursuant to a subpoena, West Virginia Code § 27-3-1 does
not permit disclosure of those records unless one of its exceptions applies or the patient
provides written consent.
Generally, “[s]tatutes which relate to the same subject matter should be read
and applied together so that the Legislature’s intention can be gathered from the whole of the
enactments.” Syl. Pt. 3, Smith v. State Workmen’s Comp. Comm’r, 159 W.Va. 108, 219
S.E.2d 361 (1975). Even “where two statutes are in apparent conflict, the Court must, if
reasonably possible, construe such statutes so as to give effect to each.” Syl. Pt. 4, in part,
State ex rel. Graney v. Sims, 144 W.Va 72, 105 S.E.2d 886 (1958). However, when it is not
7
See note 3, supra.
8
West Virginia Code § 27-3-2 provides:
No consent or authorization for the transmission or
disclosure of confidential information is effective unless it is in
writing and signed by the patient or client by his or her legal
guardian. Every person signing an authorization shall be given
a copy.
Every person requesting the authorization shall inform
the patient, client or authorized representative that refusal to
give the authorization will in no way jeopardize his or her right
to obtain present or future treatment.
12
reasonably possible to give effect to both statutes, the more specific statute will prevail. As
we held in syllabus point one of UMWA by Trumka v. Kingdon, 174 W.Va. 330, 325 S.E.2d
120 (1984), “[t]he general rule of statutory construction requires that a specific statute be
given precedence over a general statute relating to the same subject matter where the two
cannot be reconciled.” See also Int’l Union of Operating Eng’rs v. L.A. Pipeline Constr. Co.,
Inc., 237 W.Va. 261, 267, 786 S.E.2d 620, 626 (2016) (“[W]here two statutes apply to the
same subject matter, the more specific statute prevails over the general statute.”); Newark
Ins. Co. v. Brown, 218 W.Va. 346, 351, 624 S.E.2d 783, 788 (2005) (“When faced with a
choice between two statutes, one of which is couched in general terms and the other of which
specifically speaks to the matter at hand, preference is generally accorded to the specific
statute.”). In this instance, West Virginia Code § 27-3-1 specifically addresses the subject
matter at issue here–mental health records. In contrast, West Virginia Code § 57-5-4a is a
general statute defining hospital records subject to disclosure pursuant to a subpoena.
Arguing that the statutes do not conflict, Camden Clark maintains that West
Virginia § 27-3-1 does not apply when hospitals are served with subpoenas because they are
required under the Act to produce the records. However, the legislatively-declared
exceptions for disclosure set forth in West Virginia Code § 27-3-1(b) do not include a request
for records pursuant to a subpoena. Indeed, we have previously declared that although
[a] subpoena is issued automatically by a clerk of court
upon the ex parte application of one party litigant, and although
13
a subpoena is enforceable through the court’s power of
contempt until it has been quashed by regular, in-court
proceedings, a bare subpoena is not the type of binding court
order contemplated by W.Va.Code, 27-3-1(b)(3) [1977].
Smith, 179 W.Va. at 360, 368 S.E.2d at 924, syl. pt. 3.
To adopt Camden Clark’s position would render West Virginia Code § 27-3-1
meaningless. Our rules of statutory construction do not permit us to disregard a statute
without legislative direction to do so. To the contrary, “it is always presumed that the
legislature will not enact a meaningless or useless statute.” Syl. Pt. 4, State ex rel. Hardesty
v. Aracoma, 147 W.Va. 645, 129 S.E.2d 921 (1963). Likewise, our rules of statutory
construction do not permit us to read into West Virginia Code § 27-3-1 an exception allowing
disclosure of mental health records pursuant to a subpoena. “It is not for this Court to
arbitrarily read into [a statute] that which it does not say. Just as courts are not to eliminate
through judicial interpretation words that were purposely included, we are obliged not to add
to statutes something the Legislature purposely omitted.” Banker v. Banker, 196 W.Va. 535,
546-47, 474 S.E.2d 465, 476-77 (1996) (citing Bullman v. D & R Lumber Co., 195 W.Va.
129, 464 S.E.2d 771 (1995). Moreover, “[a] statute, or an administrative rule, may not, under
the guise of ‘interpretation,’ be modified, revised, amended or rewritten.” Syl. Pt. 1,
Consumer Advocate Div. v. Public Serv. Comm’n, 182 W.Va. 152, 386 S.E.2d 650 (1989).
14
For the same reasons, we reject Camden Clark’s contention that Ms. Barber
authorized the disclosure of her mental health records by not objecting to the subpoena. West
Virginia Code § 27-3-2 mandates that authorization for disclosure of mental health records
be in writing and signed by the patient.9 A failure to object to a subpoena does not satisfy
the written consent requirement of West Virginia Code § 27-3-2 to permit disclosure of
mental health records under the Act.
There is simply no basis to conclude that a patient’s “confidential
information,” as defined by West Virginia Code § 27-3-1, may be disclosed pursuant to a
subpoena under the Act even when the patient does not object. Without question, hospitals
must respond to subpoenas served pursuant to the Act, and our holding in syllabus point three
of Keplinger remains the rule with respect to the procedure hospitals must follow in
producing the records of their patients. However, given the clear legislative intent to provide
greater protection for mental health records than that afforded other medical treatment
records and the absence of any statutory exception permitting the disclosure of those records
in response to a subpoena, a hospital may not disclose mental health records, which are
subject to the confidentiality provisions of West Virginia Code § 27-3-1(a), under the Act
without the patient’s consent. Accordingly, we now hold that “confidential information,” as
defined by West Virginia Code § 27-3-1(a), is not subject to disclosure under the Act unless
9
See note 8, supra.
15
one of the exceptions set forth in West Virginia Code § 27-3-1(b) applies or the patient has
authorized the disclosure as provided in West Virginia Code § 27-3-2.10
Having determined that hospitals responding to subpoenas pursuant to the Act
must comply with West Virginia Code § 27-3-1, we find that the circuit court erred by
dismissing Ms. Barber’s complaint. As noted above, we have previously recognized a cause
of action for a violation of West Virginia Code § 27-3-1. We have also expressly held that
“common-law tort claims based upon the wrongful disclosure of medical or personal health
information are not preempted by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
of 1996.” Syl. Pt. 3, R.K. v. St. Mary’s Med. Ctr., Inc., 229 W.Va. 712, 735 S.E.2d 715
(2012).
10
As set forth in note 3, supra, West Virginia Code § 27-3-1 was amended in 2018.
The amended statute, which becomes effective ninety days from the passage date of March
8, 2018, includes additional exceptions for disclosure of confidential information under West
Virginia Code § 27-3-1(b). Of particular significance to future, similar circumstances is the
provision that will permit disclosure
[p]ursuant to and as provided for under the federal
privacy rule of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 in 45 CFR § 164, as amended under
the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical
Health Act of the American and the Omnibus Final Rule, 78 FR
5566[.]
W.Va. Code § 27-3-1(b)(6) (2018). Notably, 45 C.F.R. § 164.512 permits disclosure for
judicial and administrative proceedings in response to a subpoena. See note 6, supra.
16
In R.K., the plaintiff brought suit against the hospital for disclosing his
psychiatric records without his authorization to his estranged wife during their divorce
proceedings. He asserted several common law tort claims based upon the alleged wrongful
disclosure of his confidential information. Relying upon the reasoning in Yath v. Fairview
Clinic N.P., 767 N.W.2d 34 (Minn. Ct. App. 2009), we rejected the hospital’s assertion that
the plaintiff’s action was preempted by HIPAA. R.K., 229 W.Va. at 718-19, 735 S.E.2d at
721-22. Yath, like the case at bar, involved an alleged violation of a codified state law
prohibiting the disclosure of certain medical information. As the Minnesota court explained,
The general statutory rule is that HIPAA supersedes or
preempts any “contrary” provision of state law. 42 U.S.C. §
1320d-7(a)(1). [Defendant clinic] Fairview argued, and the
district court agreed, that Minnesota Statutes section 144.335 is
“contrary” to HIPAA because section 144.335 provides for a
private cause of action for the wrongful disclosure of an
individual’s medical records while HIPAA does not. But just
because a distinction exists does not make the Minnesota
provision “contrary” to HIPAA.
....
. . . . HIPAA requires entities that maintain or transmit
health care information to establish safeguards “to ensure the
integrity and confidentiality” of an individual’s health care
information and “to protect against any reasonably anticipated
. . . unauthorized uses or disclosures of the information.” 42
U.S.C. § 1320d-2(d)(2). If a person wrongfully discloses health
care information, that person may be subject to criminal
penalties, including fines or imprisonment. 42 U.S.C. § 1320d-6.
Rather than creating an “obstacle” to HIPAA, Minnesota
Statutes section 144.335 supports at least one of HIPAA’s goals
by establishing another disincentive to wrongfully disclose a
patient’s health care record. We hold that Minnesota Statutes
17
section 144.335 is not a contrary state law preempted by
HIPAA.
R.K., 229 W.Va. at 718-19, 735 S.E.2d at 721-22 (quoting Yath, 767 N.W.2d at 49-50); see
also WV Dep’t of Health & Human Res. v. E.H., 236 W.Va. 279, 290, 778 S.E.2.d 728, 739
(2015) (“Because the HIPAA Privacy Rule is viewed as a floor of privacy protections for
individuals, state laws may provide greater or more stringent protections. In those instances
where state law is determined to be more stringent because it imposes enhanced or more
detailed protections, the state law is not preempted by HIPAA.”). Thus, “HIPAA does not
preempt state-law causes of action for the wrongful disclosure of health care information.”
R.K., 229 W.Va. at 718, 735 S.E.2d at 721. Accordingly, we now hold that a hospital’s
compliance with the Act and HIPAA when responding to a subpoena for a patient’s records
does not preclude an action based on the wrongful disclosure of confidential information in
violation of West Virginia Code § 27-3-1.
IV. Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, we find that the circuit court erred by dismissing Ms.
Barber’s complaint.11 Therefore, the final order of the Circuit Court of Wood County entered
11
Ms. Barber also asserted that the circuit court erred by making a factual finding in
its dismissal order that she was “dishonest” with her counsel by not disclosing her prior
mental health treatment. In considering a motion to dismiss, the “[c]omplaint[] [is] to be read
liberally as required by the notice pleading theory underlying the West Virginia Rules of
Civil Procedure . . . . The circuit court, [must] view[] all the facts in a light most favorable
18
on June 12, 2017, is reversed, and this case is remanded for further proceedings consistent
with this opinion.12
Reversed and remanded.
to the nonmoving party[.]” McGraw, 194 W.Va. at 776, 461 S.E.2d 522. As noted above, the
complaint alleged that Ms. Barber “was in denial about her prior psychiatric treatment and
did not inform anyone, including her attorney, that she had been treated for mental health as
an adolescent.” Ms. Barber argues that “being in denial” does not equate to “dishonesty” and
that this factual issue is for the jury to determine, not the circuit court. Although the factual
finding that Ms. Barber was dishonest is not supported by a liberal reading of the complaint,
we need not address this matter further in light of our decision to reverse the circuit court’s
order for the reasons set forth above.
12
As noted, the claimant also set forth a claim for intentional infliction of emotional
distress. Because the circuit court’s dismissal of that claim was based solely upon its
interpretation of the Act and HIPAA regulation, we do not otherwise address the validity of
that claim.
19