Privacy Policies Notice

I am dedicated to providing top-quality service. Protecting your privacy is paramount and I have implemented procedures to safeguard the information included in your files. I have installed a firewall on my computer; computerized files can only be accessed with a password; and all paperwork is kept in a locked filing cabinet.

 This notice describes how Protected Health Information (PHI) about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

 I may gather personal and health information from you, other health care providers and third party payers. This information is used for treatment, payment and health care operations. The following describes the way I may use and disclose your Protected Health Information:

• I may provide PHI about you to health care providers, other practice personnel, or third parties that are involved in the provision, management or coordination of your treatment care.
• I may disclose your PHI to any third party you designate in writing.
• I may use or disclose your PHI so that I can collect or make payment for the health care services you receive or are going to receive.
• I may disclose your PHI if I ever sell or transfer my practice.
• I may disclose your PHI if I believe it is necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the safety of the public.
• I may disclose your PHI to a government agency if I believe you have been a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. I will make disclosure if it is necessary to prevent serious harm to you or other potential victims, if you are unable to agree due to your incapacity, if you agree to the disclosure, or if required by law.
• I may disclose your PHI to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law.
• I may disclose your PHI as required by a court or administrative order, or under certain circumstances in response to a subpoena, discovery request or legal process.
• I may release your PHI as necessary to comply with laws relating to Worker’s Compensation or similar programs that are established by the law to provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness without regard to fault.
• I may disclose your PHI to a HIPAA certified Business Associate (a person or organization that performs a function or activity on behalf of the practice that involves the use of disclosure of PHI, such as a billing services company or another practitioner who is involved in your health care.)
• Your PHI may be disclosed for military or veterans affairs, for national security and intelligence activities, or for correctional activities.
• I may use or disclose your PHI when required by law.
• I may use your name, address, phone number, email, and your records to contact you with appointment reminders calls, recall postcard, greeting cards, information about alternative health therapies, or other related information that may be of interest to you. If you are not at home to receive an appointment reminder, a text or voice message will be left on your answering machine.
• I have a duty to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured PHI.

Your rights regarding this information:

• You are entitled to inspect and receive copies of your records.
• You are entitled make a written request to amend your PHI files or put restrictions on certain uses and disclosure of PHI. I accommodate any reasonable request, yet retain the right to deny amendments or restrictions of your PHI.
• You have the right to disagree with the practitioner’s refusal of inclusion.
• You have a right to receive all notices in writing.
• You have the right to request that I do not disclose your information to specific individuals, companies, or organizations. Any restrictions should be requested in writing. I am not required to honor these requests. If I agree with your restrictions, the restriction is binding on me.
• You have the right to pay out-of-pocket for a service and the right to require that I not submit PHI to your health plan if you do so.
• You may complain to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or me, if you feel that I have violated your privacy rights. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint. Written comments should be addressed to the Privacy Officer at my office address or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave SE, Room 509F, HHH Bldg. Washington, DC 20201.

This notice remains in effect until it is replaced or amended by changes in the law.                                                   Effective Date: September 23, 2013