HIV Counseling and Testing :: Options for HIV testing

What is the difference between anonymous and confidential testing?

An anonymous testing site will not ask for your name or any other identifying information, but will use an identifying code. Anonymous HIV testing means that no name is given to the testing center. Instead, the person tested is given a code and the result is only given to the client if she/he returns with that code and requests his/her result. The paperwork does not have any identifying information, so there could never be an instance where someone other than the client could link the test results to a name. Positive results are reported to the Department of Health with the code only.

A confidential testing site will ask you to fill out paperwork with your name on it, though all information given in connection the test is confidential. Your name will remain in a secure location with test counselor. The test is assigned a unique identifier code that consists of the third letter of the first name, the third letter of the last name, and the last four digits of the client's social security number. Only this code is provided to the lab and reported to the Department of Health in case of a positive result. Confidentiality laws/regulations protect against disclosure of the information, though the test result becomes part of a medical record along with a name.

APSV recommends that you call testing locations and ask about their privacy policy. For both anonymous and confidential tests optional Partner Referral Services will be offered to help you notify past and current partners of their potential exposure to HIV. This is done on an anonymous basis and does not release the name of the client to anyone.

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