Understanding Your Rights: A Teen’s Guide to Healthcare and Confidentiality

18 years old. This age brings so much change in a teen’s life, even more than the often more coveted, Sweet 16. 

When a teen reaches the age of 18, they become an adult under state and federal law. This change is huge for most, and the shift comes with it a plethora of responsibilities that are often overlooked. Teens at this age become more responsible for several aspects of their life that were governed by so many others previously, which also includes their mental health.

With an estimated 1.3 billion adolescents in the world today, more than 16% of the world’s total population is in this period of transitioning into adulthood, but many remained unequipped with knowledge and resources to understand their healthcare rights. 

Throughout this article, we will take time to explore how teens and their family can get ready for this period of change and transition. 

Typical teenage years are a time of developmental growth and change. This time of rapid growth and change is called adolescence; this usually occurs between the ages of 13-18, and during this period, teens experience physical, mental, and emotional growth occurs. This period is also frequently referred to as puberty (physical and emotional sexual maturation). 

Understanding these key developmental changes can help teens, and their families navigate how their healthcare may evolve as they transition into adulthood. Ultimately, as teens mature, they become encouraged to take on more involvement in their health and healthcare, while parents/caregivers take on a more supportive role.  

Teens 12-14 years of age

During the earlier teen years, ages 12-14, an adolescent’s role in their healthcare is very dependent on their parent or legal guardian. Parents or legal guardians are making appointments, asking questions, control access to their medical records, and most notably, are still in the room when the teen is asked questions that may be private, or create a vulnerable moment.

As confidentiality becomes a topic at the forefront of adolescent healthcare, teens at this age, and their families are encouraged to have discussions about their provider confidentiality. Prior to this conversation, it may be helpful to understand healthcare confidentiality laws and recommendations based on your state. For example, in the State of Illinois, adolescents are required to receive consent if they are under 18 before healthcare services are provided, with certain exceptions to this rule. This includes accessing medical records, where patients under the age of 18 have to have their parent or legal guardian request their parents obtain a copy of their medical records for them. In contrast, patients ages 12 and up have the right to pregnancy testing, prenatal care, birth control/contraceptives, and or mental health counseling without a parent or legal guardians’ consent. 

It is important to understand these laws when navigating care at these ages are much different than the later stages of adolescence.

Teens 15-18 years of age

The later years of adolescence are generally when young adulthood begins. Between ages 15-17, teens gain more independence, and becoming more involved in decisions that impact their lives. Despite this rapid growth, there are still medical gray areas surrounding how these teens are able to manage their own healthcare, especially when thinking about any medical or surgical needs. This older bracket of teens, in some cases, are able to make their own doctor’s appointments, see a provider individually, and become an advocate for their own needs. Experiences may vary, state to state, as laws in each state may differ, where in some states, teens do not control their own confidentiality until reaching 18 years old. 

Teens 18 and Up

At the age of 18, healthcare typically shifts for both teens and parents. At the age of 18, most teens have matured, and are capable of making their decisions surrounding their healthcare. Remember, at the age of 18, although still a “teen”, these young adults become gain a host of freedoms to control their own healthcare journey, as afforded to them by their state’s laws. At 18 years old, teens are now legally recognized as adults, and can control their doctor’s appointments, navigate insurance, access to their own medical history, and have their visits their doctor confidential, without a parent or legal guardian in the exam room. 

To be clear, the aim of confidentiality is not to exclude parents or legal guardians from participating in their young adult’s healthcare, but rather, empower them to take control of their healthcare so they are prepared as they enter adulthood. 

Takeaways

Healthcare confidentiality, especially now, is important and should resonate with teens and young adults, as they embark on their collective journeys through life. As a parent or legal guardian, navigating and supporting your teen’s healthcare transition is important to their ability to form healthy habits, and ability to take care of more aspects of their own lives as they mature. From a provider standpoint, understanding the laws that pertain to your state, as well as best practices and guidance in supporting a teen’s healthcare transition will help you further support your patients. Finally, for teens, becoming further involved in your healthcare is an empowering process; it allows you to participate in your healthcare and take ownership of your health. 

Resources

• Information for Teens: What You Need to Know About Privacy – Healthychildren.org
• Confidentiality Resources for Adolescents, Young Adults, and Parents – SAHM

Sources

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/service/adolescent-medicine/turning-eighteen 

https://bit.ly/3KS0r9W

https://data.unicef.org/topic/adolescents/overview/