Immigration and Open-door Policy

We forcefully remind everyone, including local, state and national government officials, local, state and national law enforcement agencies (including ICE) and all clients, potential and actual, that the confidentiality of all of our clients is protected by HIPAA- this includes immigration and documentation status. No executive order trumps this protection of confidentiality under HIPAA laws. We solemnly reaffirm our commitment to protect the confidentiality (including immigration and documentation status) of all of our clients and will not divulge any identifying information of any of our clients to anyone unless they fall under the standard exceptions of BBS law, which are as follows:

- Serious risk of harm to self or others
- Child abuse, dependent adult or elderly abuse
- Specific mandate of court order by a judge

Also, in cases where we are required by law to break confidentiality (one of situations above), we as a private practice reserve the right to only divulge the necessary information needed on a case-by-case basis. We reiterate that even in the event that we are required to break confidentiality, we will not divulge the immigration or documentation status of any person unless specifically mandated by a judge. There is rarely (if ever) any occasion where the immigration or documentation status is relevant to the occurrence of “risk or harm” or “child/elderly/dependent adult abuse” and we will
intentionally withhold this information (not divulge it) unless we are specifically ordered to by a judge.

We remind everyone that insurance is not a requirement for services. If a client wishes not to report their involvement in therapy/ counseling services with us or wish to refrain from using their insurance for any reason, clients are welcome to pay cash for their services without needing to disclose their immigration or documentation status.

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Clients with any immigration or documentation status are also welcome to use medi-cal to pay for our services as long as they have current benefits. Esperanza Family Counseling will not, by any means, ask for documentation regarding immigration status- it is not required for medi-cal verification or a part of our medi-cal billing procedures.

We have plenty of availability and clinicians who speak Spanish. If any client is worried about showing up in person to the office for fears of retaliation due to their immigration or documentation status, we will happily make accommodations to switch to online, telehealth apts, where clients are able to meet with their therapist in the comfort of their own home. If any apts are switched to online or telehealth apts, the same confidentiality and protection of identity will be enforced and protected by HIPAA. Immigration and documentation status will not be a factor for any clients who wish to switch to online or telehealth apts with their clinician.

We warmly welcome clients of any immigration or documentation status from any and all nationalities, our doors are open to any client seeking service regardless of their immigration status. We remind everyone that we do NOT take in walk-ins. If you wish to seek services, please call to set up an appointment ahead of time. We do have a closed-door policy in that our doors are closed to all people who are not active clients, family or friends of clients or potential clients. All persons not seeking services from us or individuals without an appointment are not allowed past the lobby. The doors to all rooms are to remain closed and the hallway door is to remain locked to protect the confidentiality of our clients. No person will be allowed to enter or wander around the office past the lobby without an appointment. All clients, current or perspective, will be escorted to their room by their therapist for their appointments.