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.