HIPAA Privacy Notice

Your Rights

You have specific rights concerning your health records. This section outlines those rights and our duties to support them.

• View or receive copies of your medical record: You may request to inspect or get a copy (digital or paper) of your health records and related details. Ask us for guidance on how to proceed. We will typically provide your records or a summary within 30 days. A reasonable fee may apply.
• Request corrections to your records: If you believe your medical information is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to correct it. We may deny the request but will provide a written explanation within 60 days.
• Request private communications: You may ask us to contact you in a certain way (e.g., home or mobile) or send information to a specific location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
• Limit the information we use or disclose: You may ask us not to use or share certain information for treatment, billing, or healthcare operations. We may not be able to agree if it affects your care. If you’ve paid in full for a service, you may request that we not share that info with your insurer. We will honor this request unless legally required to share.
• Receive a copy of this notice: You may ask for a printed copy of this privacy notice at any time, even if you agreed to an electronic copy. We’ll provide one promptly.
• Assign someone to act on your behalf: If you have authorized someone through medical power of attorney or legal guardianship, they may make choices regarding your health information. We will confirm their authority before any action is taken.
• Submit a complaint if your rights are violated: If you believe your rights have been violated, you can contact us using the details on the back of this notice. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201, call 1-877-696-6775, or visit the official HIPAA website. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Your Choices

In specific situations, you have the option to control how we share your information. Let us know your preferences and we will follow them.

In the following scenarios, you can decide if we:

• Share your details with close family, friends, or others involved in your care
• Provide your information in emergency or disaster situations
• Include your data in a hospital directory

If you are unable to express your wishes (e.g., unconscious), we may share information if we believe it’s in your best interest. We may also share when necessary to prevent serious health threats.

We will not disclose your information for these purposes unless you give written consent:

• Marketing communications
• Selling your health data
• Sharing most psychotherapy notes

Fundraising communications: We may contact you to support our fundraising activities, but you may ask us not to contact you again.

How We Use and Share Your Information

We typically use or disclose your health data in the following ways:

• To provide medical treatment: We may share your information with other healthcare providers treating you.
  Example: A physician consults with a specialist regarding your care.
• For administrative purposes: We use your information to manage business operations and maintain care quality.
  Example: We use your health records to improve services and follow up with you.
• For billing and payments: We share necessary information with insurers and other entities to receive payment.
  Example: Your insurer receives information to approve a claim for your care.

Additional Permitted Uses and Disclosures

We may also share your information under specific circumstances, typically for public good. We must comply with legal conditions for these uses.

• Public health and safety: Example: Reporting communicable diseases or medication side effects
• Reporting product recalls
• Reporting abuse or domestic violence
• Preventing or addressing serious threats to health or safety
• Research purposes: Your data may be used for health research when allowed by law.
• Legal compliance: We may share your data if required by law, including with federal agencies reviewing HIPAA compliance.
• Organ and tissue donation: We may share your information with appropriate donation organizations.
• Medical examiners and funeral services: Your health data may be shared for death investigations or burial arrangements.
• Workers’ comp and government use: We may use or disclose your information:
  • For workers’ compensation claims
  • To law enforcement or health oversight agencies
  • For specialized government roles, including military and national security
• Legal actions: We may provide your data to courts or in response to subpoenas or other legal demands.

Our Duties

• We must keep your health data safe and confidential.
• If a data breach occurs that may impact your information, we will notify you quickly.
• We are obligated to follow the terms of this privacy notice and provide a copy upon request.
• We will not use or share your data in ways not described here unless you provide written permission. If you change your mind later, let us know in writing.
• For more details, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' website on HIPAA.

Changes to This Notice

We may update this privacy notice at any time. The revised version will apply to all current and future health information we have. You may request a copy in our office or access it on our website.

This notice applies to all affiliated organizations listed on our site. See our contact page for more information.