HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Notice of Privacy Practices

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information (PHI) is any health information in a medical record or health plan that can be used to identify you. This includes your name, contact information, health history, mental health diagnoses, treatment notes, and any other information related to your healthcare.

How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI

For Treatment

We use your PHI to provide you with counseling services, coordinate care, and communicate with you about your treatment.

For Payment

We may use or disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for services rendered. This may include sharing information with your insurance company.

For Health Care Operations

We may use your PHI for business planning, quality improvement, training, and other operational purposes.

With Your Authorization

We will not disclose your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or operations without your written authorization. You may revoke authorization at any time.

When We May Disclose Without Your Authorization

Federal law permits us to disclose your PHI without your authorization in the following situations:

• To prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to your health or safety or that of another person
• When required by law
• For public health activities
• To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• For law enforcement purposes when lawfully requested
• For judicial and administrative proceedings
• To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors
• For organ donation purposes
• For research purposes when properly authorized

Your Privacy Rights

Right to Access

You have the right to access and review your medical records. We will provide copies within 30 days of your request.

Right to Amendment

You may request amendments to your medical records if you believe the information is incomplete or inaccurate.

Right to Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of disclosures of your PHI that we have made in the past six years (excluding those for treatment, payment, or operations).

Right to Request Restrictions

You may request that we restrict how we use or disclose your PHI. However, we are not required to agree to all requests.

Right to Confidential Communication

You may request that we communicate with you using alternative means or locations (e.g., emails instead of phone calls).

Right to Opt Out of Marketing

You may request that we not send you marketing materials.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us in writing. Include your name, contact information, and a clear description of your request. We will respond within 30 days and may require verification of your identity.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this notice and will notify you of any significant changes. The most current notice will always be available upon request.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information and complaint procedures are available at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy.