Privacy Policy

                                                      HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices  

Effective Date: April 14, 2003

Revised: June 2016

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Contact Information:

Medical Office  

Email: medicalofficep@gmail.com

Introduction

This Notice of Privacy Practices is not an authorization but a description of how we, along with our business associates and their subcontractors, may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA. It details your rights regarding access to and control over your health information. PHI includes identifiable information relating to your past, present, or future physical or mental health and related care services.

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Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI)

Your PHI may be used or disclosed by your physician, office staff, and third parties involved in your care for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations, as well as any uses required by law.

Treatment: We may use and disclose PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your health care. For example, we may share PHI with a specialist to whom you are referred to ensure they have the information needed for treatment.

Payment: We may use and disclose PHI to bill and collect payment for services provided. For instance, obtaining authorization for a hospital stay may require sharing PHI with your insurance. We may ask for your written consent to disclose PHI when necessary under certain state or federal laws.

Healthcare Operations:PHI may be used to support daily operations, such as staff reviews, training, and quality assessments. For example, we may use your PHI to assess service quality. We may de-identify PHI for research or studies related to health care and its delivery.

Additional Permitted Uses and Disclosures of PHI

We may also use your PHI in the following ways:

- Appointment Reminders: To remind you of upcoming appointments.

- Health-Related Services and Treatment Alternatives: To inform you about treatments, services, or benefits that may interest you.

- Family and Friends: With your permission, we may disclose PHI to family or others involved in your care. In cases where you are unavailable, we will exercise professional judgment in determining if disclosure is in your best interest.

- Disaster Relief: To assist authorized disaster relief organizations.

- Fundraising and Marketing: You may receive communications from us for fundraising efforts unless you choose to opt out.

Special Situations and Other Required Disclosures**

Your PHI may be disclosed in the following scenarios, as allowed or required by law:

- Organ Donation, Military Service, Public Health Activities, Worker’s Compensation, Health Oversight Activities, Lawsuits, and Law Enforcement: In compliance with applicable legal requirements.

- Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors:** When necessary to carry out their duties.

- National Security, Inmate Requests, Serious Threats: In specific situations, as allowed by law.

Please note that incidental uses and disclosures may occur, which are by-products of otherwise permitted uses.

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Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

Any use of your PHI outside the scenarios described will only occur with your written consent. This includes using PHI for marketing, selling PHI, or using most psychotherapy notes. You may revoke authorization at any time, except when PHI has already been used or disclosed based on prior consent.

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Your Rights Regarding PHI

You have specific rights concerning your PHI:

- Right to Inspect and Copy: You may request access to your medical records, except in cases restricted by law or circumstance. We may charge fees for copies.

- Right to Request Restrictions: You can request limitations on certain uses or disclosures of your PHI. Requests should be in writing to our Privacy Officer, but we are not required to agree unless specified by law.

- Right to Confidential Communications: You can request that we communicate with you through alternative methods or locations.

- Right to Amend:** You may request amendments to your PHI if you believe it is incorrect. Requests must be in writing and may be denied if the PHI is accurate or if certain conditions apply.

- Right to Accounting of Disclosures: You may request an accounting of specific disclosures made of your PHI. The first request within a 12-month period is free; additional requests may incur fees.

- Right to Notification of a Breach: You will be notified in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI.

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Filing a Complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Compliance Officer or with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Filing a complaint will not result in any retaliation.

Privacy Office Contact:  

Phone: (718) 306-5025

Email: medicalooficepc@gmail.com

We are legally required to protect the privacy of your PHI and to provide you with this notice of our privacy practices. This notice may be updated periodically; you may request a current copy from the Privacy Officer or access it on our website.