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As one of your health care providers, we are required by federal and state laws to maintain the privacy of your health information. We want you to be aware of our privacy practices and how health information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to your health information. This is required by the privacy regulations created as a result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
How we can use or disclose health information without a specific authorization:
- We may disclose your protected health information (PHI) to another health care provider when requested, in order for that provider to treat you.
- We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment or be reimbursed for services.
- We may use your PHI when necessary for our health care operations, meaning activities that are necessary to run our business and support the core functions of treatment and payment.
- We may use or disclose your PHI , when necessary, to authorized persons or orgainzations, to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public.
- We may use or disclose your PHI when required by law.
- We may disclose your PHI in response to a court or adminisrtative order, supoena, discovery request, or other lawful processes, under certain circumstances.
- We may disclose limited PHI to law enforcement officials when applicable, to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials when you are an inmate or in lawful custody, and to federal officials for intelligence and national security activities required by law.
- We may disclose your PHI to military authorities, under certain circumstances, if you are a member of the U.S. or foreign military forces (including veterans).
- We may disclose limited PHI to your family and/or friends in the event of an emergency or similar circumstance when you are unable to authorize this disclosure, to the extent necessary to help with your health care. We may disclose your PHI without authorization to anyone acting as your Personal Representative.
- We must disclose your PHI to you as described below.
Your Individual Rights:
You have the right to review in person or obtain copies of your PHI at any time. To do so, notify your physician in writing. You have the right to request amendments to your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. To do so, notify your physician in writing with a reason that supports this request. You have the right to request that we restrict the use or disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not required to agree to your request, but if we do, we are bound by our agreement except in emergencies or as otherwise required by law or if the information is necessary to treat you. You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your PHI and related issues in a particular manner and at a certain location. For example, you can request that we contact you at work and not at home. We will accommodate reasonable requests. You have a right to file a complaint, if you feel your privacy rights have been violated, with this practice or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file complaints please ask for the appropriate information at the reception desk. You will not be penalized for filling a compalint. You have a right to a copy of this notice at any time. You have the right to provide an authorization for uses and diclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law.
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