HIPAA Policy
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.
We understand the importance of privacy and are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your medical information. We make a record of the medical care we provide and may receive such records from others. We use these records to provide or enable other health care providers to provide quality medical care, to obtain payment for services provided to you as allowed by your health plan, and to enable us to meet our professional and legal obligations to operate this medical practice properly.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information, to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information. This notice describes how we may use and disclose your medical information. It also describes your rights and our legal obligations with respect to your medical information.
If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer listed above.
Table of Contents
- How This Medical Practice May Use or Disclose Your Health Information
- When This Medical Practice May Not Use or Disclose Your Health Information
- Your Health Information Rights
- Changes to This Notice of Privacy Practices
- Complaints
A. How This Medical Practice May Use or Disclose Your Health Information
This medical practice collects health information about you and stores it in a chart and on a computer. This is your medical record. The medical record is the property of this medical practice, but the information in the medical record belongs to you. The law permits us to use or disclose your health information for the following purposes:
Treatment
We use medical information about you to provide your medical care. We disclose medical information to our employees and others who are involved in providing the care you need. For example, we may share your information with other physicians, pharmacies, labs, or family members assisting in your care.
Payment
We use and disclose medical information about you to obtain payment for the services we provide. For example, we may share necessary information with your health plan.
Health Care Operations
We use and disclose your information to operate this medical practice, review care quality, and improve services. We may share your information with business associates (e.g., billing or auditing services) under contracts that require confidentiality and security of your information.
Appointment Reminders
We may use and disclose information to contact and remind you about appointments.
Sign-In Sheet
We may use and disclose information by having you sign in upon arrival or calling your name when ready.
Notification and Communication With Family
We may disclose your information to family or others involved in your care unless you object.
Marketing
We may contact you about products, services, or programs relevant to your treatment or health. We will not sell or disclose your health information for marketing without your written authorization.
Sale of Health Information
We will not sell your health information without your prior written authorization.
Required by Law
We will use and disclose information as required by law, including to report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Public Health
We may disclose information for public health purposes such as disease prevention, reporting abuse, and tracking medication reactions.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose information to agencies conducting audits, investigations, or licensure reviews.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
We may disclose information in legal proceedings as required by court order or subpoena.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose information to law enforcement under certain circumstances.
Coroners, Organ Donation, and Public Safety
We may disclose information to coroners, for organ donation, or to prevent serious threats to public safety.
Proof of Immunization
We may share immunization proof with schools where required and authorized.
Specialized Government Functions
We may disclose information for military, national security, or correctional purposes.
Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose information as necessary to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
Change of Ownership
If this medical practice is sold or merged, your records may transfer to the new owner.
Breach Notification
In case of a data breach, we will notify you as required by law.
B. When This Medical Practice May Not Use or Disclose Your Health Information
Except as described in this Notice, we will not use or disclose your health information without your written authorization. You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time.
C. Your Health Information Rights
Right to Request Special Privacy Protections
You may request restrictions on how your information is used or disclosed. We will honor reasonable requests.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we send your information by specific means or to specific locations.
Right to Inspect and Copy
You may inspect or request copies of your health information. Reasonable fees may apply.
Right to Amend or Supplement
You may request corrections to your information if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of disclosures of your health information made by this medical practice.
Right to a Paper or Electronic Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper or digital copy of this Notice at any time.
If you would like to exercise any of these rights, contact our Privacy Officer listed above.
D. Changes to This Notice of Privacy Practices
We reserve the right to amend this Notice at any time. Changes will apply to all protected health information we maintain. The current Notice will be posted in our reception area and on our website.