HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

1. Treatment

We use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. This includes consultation with other healthcare providers and referrals.

Example: Sharing your medical history with a specialist we refer you to for consultation.

2. Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you. This may include billing, claims management, and collection activities.

Example: Submitting claims to your insurance company with information about your diagnosis and treatment.

3. Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your health information for healthcare operations including quality assessment, training, licensing, accreditation, and business planning.

Example: Reviewing treatment outcomes to improve quality of care.

4. Business Associates

We may share your information with third-party service providers (business associates) who perform functions on our behalf. These providers are required to protect your health information.

Example: Laboratory services, billing companies, or IT service providers.

5. Other Permitted Uses

We may use or disclose your health information without your authorization for:

• When required by law
• Public health activities
• Reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• Health oversight activities
• Judicial and administrative proceedings
• Law enforcement purposes
• To avert serious threat to health or safety
• Military and veterans activities
• Workers' compensation
• Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors

Specific Situations Requiring Authorization:

• Marketing communications (except for face-to-face or promotional gift communications)
• Sale of your health information
• Psychotherapy notes (with limited exceptions)
• Most uses and disclosures of substance abuse treatment records

1. Right to Inspect and Copy

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing. In limited circumstances, we may deny your request.

2. Right to Amend

If you believe your health information is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. We may deny your request in certain circumstances, but will provide you with a written explanation.

3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to request an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information made by us during the six years prior to your request.

4. Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to your request except in specific circumstances involving payment to a health plan.

5. Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

6. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You have the right to a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically.

7. Right to Be Notified of a Breach

You have the right to be notified in the event that we (or a business associate) discover a breach of your unsecured health information.