HIPPA Privacy Policies
THIS POLICY DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW CAREFULLY
Our Obligations We are required by law to:
Maintain the privacy of protected health information
Give you the policy of your legal duties and privacy practices regarding health information about you
Follow the terms of our notice that is currently in effect
How We May Use and Disclose Health Information
Described as follows are the ways we may use and disclose health information that identifies you (“Health Information”). Except for the following purposes, we will use and disclose health information only with your written permission. You may revoke such permissions at any time by writing to our practice’s privacy officer.
Treatment
We may use and disclose Health Information for your treatment and provide you with treatment-related health care services. For example, we may disclose Health Information to doctors, nurses, technicians, or other personnel, including people outside our office, who are involved in your medical care and need the information to provide you with medical care.
Payment
We may use and disclose Health Information so that we or others may bill and receive payment from you, an insurance company, or a third party for treatment and services you receive. For example, we may give your health plan information so that they will pay for your treatment.
Health Care Operations
We may use and disclose Health Information for health care operation purposes. These uses and disclosures are necessary to make sure that all our patients receive quality care to operate and manage our office. We also may share information with our entities that have a relationship with you (for example, your health plan) for their health care operation activities.
Appointment Reminders, Treatment Alternatives, and Health Related Benefits and Services
We may use and disclose Health Information to contact you and remind you that you have an appointment with us. We also may use and disclose Health Information to tell you about treatment alternatives or health related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care
When appropriate, we may share Health Information with a person who is involved in your medical care or payment for your care, such as your family or a close friend. We also may notify your family about your location or general condition or disclose such information to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort.
Special Situations
As required by law. We will disclose Health Information when required to do so by international, federal, state, or local law.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health of Safety
We will disclose Health Information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the public, or another person. Disclosure, however, will be made only to someone who may be able to help provide treatment.
Business Associates
We may disclose Health Information to our business associates that perform functions on our behalf or to provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. For example, we may use another company to perform billing services on our behalf. All our business associates are obligated to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than that as specific in our contract
Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding Health Information we have about you:
Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to inspect and copy Health Information that we may use to make decisions about your care or payment for your care. This includes medical and billing records, other than psychotherapy notes. To inspect and copy this information, you must make your request in writing, to our Privacy Officer.
Right to Amend
If you feel that Health Information we have is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for our office. To request an amendment, you must make your request, in writing, to our Privacy Officer.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosure
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we made of Health Information for purposes other than treatment, payment, and health care operations or for which you provided written authorization. To request an accounting of disclosures, you must make your request, in writing, to our Privacy Officer.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the Health Information we use or disclose for treatment, payment, or health care operation. You also have a right to request a limit on the Health Information we disclose to someone involved in your care or the payment for your care, like a family member or friend. For example, you can ask that we not share information about your particular diagnosis or treatment with your spouse. To request a restriction, you must make your request, in writing, to our Privacy Officer. We are not required to agree with your request. If we agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency treatment.
Right to Request Confidential Communication
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we contact you only by mail or at work. To request confidential communications, you must make your request, in writing, to our Privacy Officer. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to change this policy and make the new policy apply to Health Information we already have as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a current copy of our policy at our office.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the use of your personal information, please contact us at 212-777-3301 or email at info@energychironyc.com.