Privacy Policy
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
As required by the Privacy Regulations Promulgated Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations (TPO) and for other purposes that are permitted or required by law. It also outlines your rights to access and control your protected health information. “Protected health information” refers to information about you, including demographic details, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition and related health care services.
Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
Your protected health information may be used and disclosed by our organization, our office staff, and others outside of our office who are involved in your care and treatment for the purpose of providing health care services to you, managing payments for your care, supporting the operations of the organization, and any other use required by law.
Treatment:
We will use and disclose your protected health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your health care and any related services. For example, we may share your health information with a home health agency providing care to you or a physician we refer you to for further treatment.
Payment:
Your protected health information will be used, as needed, to obtain payment for your health care services. For example, we may need to disclose information to your health plan for coverage approval of certain services or equipment.
Healthcare Operations:
We may use or disclose your protected health information for business activities such as quality assessment, employee review, accreditation, and other administrative functions. For example, we may share your information with accrediting agencies as part of an accreditation survey or contact you to check the status of your treatment.
We may also use or disclose your protected health information in certain situations without your authorization, including but not limited to: as required by law, public health concerns, communicable diseases, health oversight, abuse or neglect reporting, FDA requirements, legal proceedings, law enforcement, criminal activity, inmates, military activities, national security, and workers' compensation.
Required Uses and Disclosures:
Under the law, we are required to make certain disclosures to you and, when applicable, to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate or determine our compliance with legal requirements.
Other permitted and required uses and disclosures will be made only with your consent, authorization, or opportunity to object, unless required by law. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that we have already relied on it.
Your Rights
You have several rights regarding your protected health information, including:
- Right to Inspect and Copy: You can inspect and obtain a copy of your protected health information, except for specific records such as psychotherapy notes, information compiled for legal proceedings, and other records restricted by law.
- Right to Request Restrictions: You may request a restriction on the use or disclosure of your protected health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, as well as the disclosure to family members or friends involved in your care. However, our organization is not required to agree to your request if we believe it is in your best interest to use or disclose the information.
- Right to Confidential Communications: You can request to receive confidential communications from us by alternative means or at an alternative location.
- Right to Amend: If you believe your health information is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. If we deny your request, you have the right to file a statement of disagreement, and we will respond with a rebuttal if necessary.
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures of your protected health information.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information and provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. If you have any questions or objections regarding this form, please ask to speak with our President.
For more information, you can visit https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/notice-privacy-practices/index.html.
