In this notice, we explain how medical information about you may be used and discounted, as well as how you may access that information. Take the time to read it carefully.
We intend to share this Privacy Practice Notice with you to let you know how your Personal Health Information (PHI) will be used and shared. It also lets you know how to gain access to the PHI. Additionally, the notice tells you about your privacy rights. Our team is required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI, to provide you with updates on our obligations toward that data, and to notify you if your information is ever compromised.
If you receive care at our facilities and also need to visit another healthcare practitioner, this Notice does not apply to how we handle your PHI at those other offices. The healthcare professional may have his or her own privacy notice too, so make sure to read it to find out how your PHI will be handled.
How we may use and disclose your PHI?
Your personally identifiable information (also known as “PHI”) may be used without your consent to conduct clinical research and make decisions about treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. In any case, where there are stricter state requirements or restrictions, we will only use your PHI as permitted by those stricter requirements.
Disclosures and uses of PHI without your consent
Generally, we will not use or disclose your PHI without your authorization, but there are a few exceptions. For example, we will share your information in the following situations;
Treatment
We may use and disclose PHI as necessary to ensure the provision of care, treatment, or services. We may also offer to share information with other providers who can help you if we believe that it would be in your best interest or to see if there are any treatments that could be offered to you.
Payment
Your PHI may be disclosed to cover basic clinic needs, like reimbursement fees or compensation.
Healthcare Operations
When your medical information is needed for our own internal evaluations, when we contract with legal providers, or when we partner with other companies, your PHI may need to be disclosed.
Research
It’s important to know that your PHI can be used and disclosed for research purposes, subject to certain circumstances. If you decide to participate in a study, you will not be the subject of research without first giving informed consent. If you decide to participate, your identity and health information will remain confidential during and after the research is completed.
To Persons Involved in Your Care
Under the right circumstances, we may release protected health information about you to someone who is involved in your medical care or to someone who pays for your care. We can also give information about your condition and general information on the facility to family, friends, or any other individual who asks. But if you don’t want to be included in the directory, that’s a solution too.
As Required by law
In some cases, we might need to provide PHI about you. For example, we might share your PHI with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in order to ensure we’re complying with federal laws.
Military & Veterans
We have to abide by military regulations. If you are a member of the armed forces, we may share your medical information with military command authorities as necessary. We may also share some of your medical information with appropriate foreign military authorities.
Other Uses and Disclosures
- We are required to tell all relevant organizations about your PHI as part of our policies, when necessary for purposes related to organ and tissue donation.
- Because we care about keeping everyone at our company in the loop, we want to be transparent when it comes to disclosing PHI. That’s why we comply with laws requiring us to notify workers’ compensation programs or similar programs if necessary.
- We may disclose PHI about you for public-health-related activities.
- We may reveal your PHI to a health oversight agency for lawful purposes.
- If a court or other organization or entity makes us answer with your PHI, we may disclose it.
- We reserve the right to share your PHI with an organization relating to a legal procedure or investigation.
If you or your loved ones need help recovering from these behavioral or mental health issues, please feel free to contact us.
Individual’s Information Rights & Our Responsibilities
It is your right to have access to your health information. Our responsibilities and your rights are explained here;
Your Rights to the Information
Your medical record can be obtained in electronic or paper form
Get a copy of your medical record and other health-related information from us in electronic or paper copy.
You’ll usually receive a copy or a summary of your health information within 30 days of submitting a request. You might be charged a reasonable fee.
You can ask us to correct your medical records
We can correct any health information about you that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. We can help you with this.
Your request might be denied, but we’ll explain why within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
It is possible to request that we contact you through a particular method (for example, a home or office phone) or send mail to a different address.
All reasonable requests will be granted by us.
Limit our use and sharing of your information
If you don’t want certain health information to be used or shared for treatment, payment, or operation purposes, you can ask us not to do so. Your request does not have to be approved by us.
When you pay for services or health care items out-of-pocket in full, you can choose not to share that information with your health insurer. Unless we are legally obligated to share the information, we will say “yes.”.
Ask us the list of those we’ve shared information with
If you ask, we will provide you with a list of how, when, and with whom we shared your health information.
There will be no disclosures about treatment, payment, or health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as those you asked us to include) make). You’ll receive one accounting a year for free, but if you request another within one year, we’ll charge a reasonable, fee-based fee.
Get a copy of this privacy notice
If you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you can request a paper copy at any time. You will receive a paper copy as soon as possible.
Choose someone to act for you
People who have medical power of attorney or are your legal guardians can exercise your rights and make decisions about your health.
Before taking any action, we will ensure the person has this authority and can act for you.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated
Please contact us if you feel your rights have been violated by using the information on the page to file a complaint.
You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/ privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
You will not be retaliated against by us if you file a complaint.
Choices you can make
When it comes to your health, you’re in charge. Let us know the information you want us to share with your health providers in the situations described below. We will follow your instructions if you tell us what to do.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
- Your family, friends, and others involved in your care should have access to the information
- In times of disaster, share information
- Add your information to a hospital directory
It may be necessary to share your information if you are unable to express your preference. For example, if you are unconscious, it may be in your best interest to share. It is also necessary to share in the event of a serious and potential threat
We will never share your information in these cases without your written consent:
For marketing purposes
Using your information for sale
Most sharing of psychotherapy notes
In the case of fundraising
You may receive a fundraising request from us, but we want you to be in control. If this is not something you wish to be contacted about, please notify us.
Our Uses and Disclosures
In what ways do we typically use or share your health information? Take a look at the following details related to data sharing by us.
Treat you
If you are being treated by other professionals, we can use that information and share it with them.
Run our organization
The information we collect about you can be used and shared for the purpose of running our practice, making improvements to your care, and contacting you if necessary.
Bill for your services
Billing and receiving payment from health plans or other entities can be done based on your health information.
Help with public health and safety issues
There are certain situations in which we can share health information about you, including:
The prevention of disease
Reporting adverse reactions to medications as part of product recalls
Abuse, neglect, or domestic violence should be reported
A serious threat to health or safety can be prevented or reduced
Do research
We can also share your information for a health research.
Comply with the law
Whenever state or federal law requires it, we’ll share your data with the Department of Health and Human Services if they want to make sure we’re complying with its privacy laws.
Respond to organ and tissue donation requests
We may share your personal health information with organ procurement organizations, to help them find someone a donor.
Work with a medical examiner or funeral director
When a family requests it, we can send health information to the coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
Work with workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government agencies
- Compensation claims of workers
- Law enforcement purposes or with law enforcement personnel
- Health oversight agencies for lawful activities
- Military, national security, and presidential protection functions
Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
We may share your health information if asked by a court or administrative order.
Our Responsibilities
- It is our legal obligation to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- Protecting you and your info is our top priority, so if we find out about a breach that could affect you, we’ll let you know right away.
- It’s important for us to follow the duties and privacy practices outlined in this notice, so we’ll give you a copy of it.
- We will never share your information with anyone else unless it’s essential to completing a project you’ve requested from us.
For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.
Changes to the Terms of this Notice
We reserve the right to modify this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our website.