NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. SO, PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY. THE PRIVACY OF YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR GROUP.
Legally, we reserve the right to change the privacay practices and the terms of this notice at any time, provided that changes are permitted by applicable law. We do reserve the right to make the changes to our own privacy practices and the new conditions of our Notice effective for all health information that we maintain, including health information we created or received before we made the changes. before we make a significant change in our practices of privacy, please note that we will change this Notice and make the new one available upon request. The effective date of this notice is March 2003. It remains in effect until changed by our group.
DISCLOSURE AND USES OF YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
This notice allows us to use and disclose health information about you as necessary for treatment , payment , and healthcare operations. We will limit the release of informtion to what is considered necessary to assist in the specific need.
Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operation. Healthcare operation includes quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competence or qualifications of healthcare professionals, evaluation of provider performance otherwise, and conducting training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.
Persons involved in Care: If you become incapacitated, or there is an emergency circumstance, we will disclose health information based on a determination using our professional judgement that is directly relevant to the person's involvement of your best interest in allowing a person to pick up filled prescriptions, medical supplies or other items which are similar forms of health information.
Marketing Health-Related Services: We will not use your health information for marketing communications with out your written authorization.
Abuse and /or neglect: We may disclsose your health information or appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that you are a possible vistim of abuse , neglect, or domestic violence or the possible victim of other crimes. we may disclose your health information to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.
Contact mechanisms: We will use voicemail messages or answering machines, postcards, electronic mail, or letters, if we cannot reach you personally. If we cannot speak with you direclty, we will limit the amount of information divulged as much as we can, except in matters of medical necessity.
PATIENT (CLIENT) RIGHTS
Access: You do have the right to look at or get copies of your health information with limited exceptions. We will use the format you request unless it is not practical to do so. You must make the request in writing (which can be electronic with signature) to obtain access to your health information. You may obtain a form to request access by using the contact information listed at the end of this notice. we will charge you a reasonable cost-based fee for expenses, should any be incurred, such as staff time.
Restriction: You have the right to request that we place additional restrictions on our use or disclosure of your health information. We are not required to agree to these additional restrictions, but if we do, we will abide by our agreement ( except in emergency situations)
Alternative Communication: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by alternative means or to alternative locations. (You have to make the request in writing- which can be via electronic means) Your request has to specify the alternative means or location , and provide satidsfactory explanation how payments will be handled under the alternative means or location you reqeust.
Amendment: You have the right to request that we amend your health information. (Your request must be in writing- which can be electronic, and it must explain why the information should be amended.) We may deny your request under certain circumstances.
QUESTIONS & COMPLAINTS
If you would like more information on our privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please simply contact us.
If you are concerned that we may have violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with the decision we made about access to your health information or in response to a request you made to amend or restrict the use or disclosure of your health information or to have us communicate with you by alternative means or at alternative locations, you may complain to us, or submit a written complaint to the US Department of Health services. We will provide you with (our) address to file a complaint to us. The governmental address may be looked up or found elsewhere.