90 When the Disclosure of your PHI Requires your Written Authorization A lthough the Fund does not routinely obtain psychotherapy notes, it must generally obtain your written authorization before the Fund will use or disclose psychotherapy notes about you. However, the Fund may use and disclose such notes when needed by the Fun d to defend itself against litigation filed by you. Psychotherapy notes are separately filed notes about your conversations with your mental health professional during a counseling session. They do not include summary information about your mental health t reatment. Disclosure to Other Benefit Plans. On certain occasions, it may be necessary to receive information from the Health Fund in order to process life insurance benefits, Weekly Disability Income Benefits or benefits from the Pension Fund. In those ca ses, we will request an authorization from you to release such information in order to continue processing your ben efits. Use or Disclosure of Y our PHI t hat Requires Y ou b e Given an Opportunity to Agree or Disagree Before the Use or Release Disclosure of y our PHI to family members, other relatives and your close personal friends is allowed under federal law if: • The information is directly relevant to the family or friend’s involvement with your care or payment for that care, and • You have either agreed to th e disclosure or have been given an opportunity to object and have not objected. You should note that under certain circumstances described below, federal law allows the use and disclosure of your PHI without your consent, authorization or opportunity to ob ject to such use or disclosure. Use or Disclosure of Y our PHI for Which Consent, Authorization or Opportunity to Object i s Not Required The Fund is allowed under federal law to use and disclose your PHI without your consent or authorization under the following circumstances: • When required by applicable law. • Public health purposes. To an authorized public health authority if required by law or for public health and safety purposes. PHI may also be used or disclosed if you have been exposed to a communic able disease or are at risk of spreading a disease or condition, if authorized by law. • Domestic violence or abuse situations. When authorized by law to report information about abuse, neglect or domestic violence to public authorities, if a reasonable beli ef exists that you may be a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. In such case, the Fund will promptly inform you that such a disclosure has been or will be made unless that notice would cause a risk of serious harm. • Health oversight activities. T o a health oversight agency for oversight activities authorized by law. These activities include civil, administrative or criminal investigations, inspections, licensure or disciplinary actions (for example, to investigate complaints against health care pr oviders) and other activities necessary for appropriate oversight of government benefit programs (for example, to the Department of Labor). • Legal proceedings. When required for judicial or administrative proceedings. For example, your PHI may be disclosed in response to a subpoena or discovery request that is accompanied by a court order.