What information can be disclosed to a non-VA provider without signed authorization?

The disclosure of family history of coronary artery disease to a non-VA provider can occur without signed authorization because it falls under the category of general medical information that may be necessary for coordinated patient care. In this scenario, sharing family medical history can help non-VA providers understand potential hereditary risks and guide them in making more informed decisions regarding further evaluation, preventive measures, or interventions for the patient.

In contrast, social security numbers (option A) are sensitive personal identifiers that typically require authorization for disclosure to protect individuals' privacy. Likewise, medical histories related to drug abuse (option C) and detailed psychotherapy notes (option D) contain more sensitive information that typically requires strict confidentiality and often mandates signed authorization before sharing such data. These privacy regulations are in place to ensure that more sensitive aspects of a patient's medical records are protected to maintain confidentiality and trust in the healthcare system.