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Healthcare Operations
We may use or disclose, as-needed, your protected
health information in order to support the business activities of your
physician’s practice. These activities include, but are not limited
to, quality assessment activities, employee review activities, training
of medical students, licensing, and conducting or arranging for other
business activities. For example, we may disclose your protected health
information to medical school students that see patients at our office.
In addition, we may use a sing-in sheet at the registration desk where
you will be asked to sign your name and indicate your physician. We may
also call you by name in the waiting room when your physician is ready
to see you. We may use or disclose your protected health information,
as necessary, to contact you to remind you of your appointment.
We may use of disclose your protected health information in the following
situations without your authorization. These situations include: as Required
By Law, Public Health issues as required by law, Communicable Diseases;
Health Oversight; Abuse or Neglect; Food and Drug Administration requirements;
Legal Proceedings; Law Enforcement; Coroners, Funeral Directors, and Organ
Donation; Research; Criminal Activity; Military Activity and National
Security; Worker’s Compensation; Inmates; Required Uses and Disclosures;
Under the law, we must make disclosures to you and when required by the
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate
or determine our compliance with the requirements of Section 164.500.
Other
permitted and required uses and disclosures will be made only with your
consent, authorization or opportunity to object unless required by law.
You may revoke this authorization, at any time, in writing, except to
the extent that your physician or the physician’s practice has taken
action in reliance on the use or disclosure indicated in the authorization.
The
following is a statement of your rights with respect to your protected
health information.
You
have the right to inspect and copy your protected health information.
Under federal law, however, you may not inspect or copy the following
records, psychotherapy notes; information compiled in reasonable anticipation
of, or use in, a civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding,
and protected health information that is subject to law that prohibits
access to protected health information.
You
have the right to request a restriction of your protected health information.
This means you may ask us not to use or disclose any part of your protected
health information for the purposes of treatment, payment or healthcare
operations. You may also request that any part of your protected health
information not be disclosed to family members or friends who may be involved
in your care or for notification purposes as described in this Notice
of Privacy Practices. Your request must state the specific restriction
requested and to whom you want the restriction to apply.
Your
physician is not required to agree to a restriction that you may request.
If your physician believes it is in your best interest to permit use and
disclosure of your protected health information. Your protected health
information will not be restricted. You then have the right to use another
Healthcare Professional.
You
have the right to request to receive confidential communication from us
by alternative means or at an alternative location. You have the right
to obtain a paper copy of this notice from us, upon request, even if you
have agreed to accept this notice alternatively i.e. electronically.
You
may have the right to have your physician amend your protected health
information. If we deny your request for amendment, you have the right
to file a statement of disagreement with us and we may prepare a rebuttal
to your statement and will provide you with a copy of any such rebuttal.You
have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures we have
made, if any, or your protected health information.
We
reserve the right to change the terms of this notice and will inform you
by mail of any changes. You then have the right to object or withdraw
as provided in this notice.
Complaints
You may complain to us or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services
if you believe your privacy rights have been violated by us. You may file
a complaint with us by notifying our privacy contact of your complaint.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
This
notice was published and becomes effective on/or before April 14, 2003.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of, and provide individuals
with , this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect
to protected health information. If you have any objections to this please
ask to speak with our HIPPA Compliance Officer in person or by phone at
our main phone number. |