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.
If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer or any staff member in our office.
Our Privacy Officer is Dr. Mark S. Edinger
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information to carry out your treatment, collect payment for your care and manage the operations of this clinic. It also describes our policies concerning the use and disclosure of this information for other purposes that are permitted or required by law. It describes your rights to access and control your protected health information. "Protected Health Information" (PHI) is information about you, including demographic information that may identify you, that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.
We are required by federal law to abide by the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices. We may change the terms of our notice at any time. The new notice will be effective for all protected health information that we maintain at that time. You may obtain revisions to our Notice of Privacy Practices by accessing our website www., calling the office and requesting that a revised copy be sent to you in the mail or asking for one at the time of your next appointment.
By applying to be treated in our office, you are implying consent to the use and disclosure of your protected health information by your doctor, our office staff and others outside of our office that are involved in your care and treatment for the purpose of providing health care services to you. Your protected health information may also be used and disclosed to bill for your health care and to support the operation of the practice.
Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information Based Upon Your Implied Consent
Following are examples of the types of uses and disclosures of your protected health care information we will make, based on this implied consent. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive but to describe the types of uses and disclosures that may be made by our office.
In addition, we may disclose your protected health information from time-to-time to another physician or health care provider (e.g., a specialist or laboratory) who, at the request of your doctor, becomes involved in your care by providing assistance with your health care diagnosis or treatment.
For example, we may disclose your protected health information to chiropractic interns or precepts that see patients at our office. In addition, we may use a sign-in sheet at the registration desk where you will be asked to sign your name and indicate your doctor. Communications between you and the doctor or his assistants may be recorded to assist us in accurately capturing your responses; we may also call you by name in the reception area when your doctor is ready to see you. We may use or disclose your protected health information, as necessary, to contact you to remind you of your appointment. We have open therapy/adjusting areas.
We will share your protected health information with third party "business associates" that perform various activities (e.g., billing, transcription services for the practice). Whenever an arrangement between our office and a business associate involves the use or disclosure of your protected health information, we will have a written contract with that business associate that contains terms that will protect the privacy of your protected health information.
We may use or disclose your protected health information, as necessary, to provide you with information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. We may also use and disclose your protected health information for other internal marketing activities. For example, your name and address may be used to send you a newsletter about our practice and the services we offer, we will ask for your authorization. We may also send you information about products or services that we believe may be beneficial to you. You may contact our Privacy Officer to request that these materials not be sent to you.
Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information That May Be Made Only With Your Written Authorization
Other uses and disclosures of your protected health information will be made only with your written authorization, unless otherwise permitted or required by law as described below.
1. Confidentiality of Reproductive Health Information:
Our practice is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your reproductive health information. This includes information related to fertility treatments, prenatal care, contraception counseling, and abortion services. We have implemented strict safeguards to ensure that your reproductive health data is always kept secure and confidential.
2. Access to Reproductive Health Records:
You have the right to access and obtain copies of your reproductive health records maintained by our practice. These records will only be released after obtaining a specific and separate release of reproductive rights protected information signed by the patent, except where required by law. If you wish to review or receive a copy of your fertility treatment history, prenatal care notes, contraception counseling records, or abortion services documentation, please contact our privacy officer to initiate the special request and authorization for such.
3. Non-Discrimination and Respect for Reproductive Choices:
Our practice upholds a policy of non-discrimination. We respect and support your reproductive choices, regardless of factors such as age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or individual preferences. Your reproductive health records will be honored and respected by our healthcare team.
4. Disclosure of Reproductive Health Information:
We will only disclose your reproductive health information to authorized individuals or entities as permitted by law and with your explicit consent. Your reproductive health data will not be shared with third parties without your permission. We require a special authorization, above and beyond a simple standard release form, to release any reproductive care documentation, except in cases where disclosure is required by law or for purposes of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
You may revoke any of these authorizations, at any time, in writing, except to the extent that your doctor or the practice has taken an action in reliance on the use or disclosure indicated in the authorization.
Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures That May Be Made With Your Authorization or Opportunity to Object
In the following instance where we may use and disclose your protected health information, you can agree or object to the use or disclosure of all or part of your protected health information. If you are not present or able to agree or object to the use or disclosure of the protected health information, then your doctor may, using professional judgment, determine whether the disclosure is in your best interest. In this case, only the protected health information that is relevant to your health care will be disclosed.
Other Permitted and Required Uses and, Disclosures That May Be Made Without Your Consent, Authorization or Opportunity to Object
We may use or disclose your protected health information in the following situations without your consent or authorization. These situations include:
Following is a statement of your rights with respect to your protected health information and a brief description of how you may exercise these rights.
Under federal law, however, you may not inspect or copy the following records; psychotherapy notes; information complied in reasonable anticipation of, or use in, a civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding, and protected health information that is subject to law that prohibits access to protected health information. Depending on the circumstances, a decision to deny access may be reviewed. In some circumstances, you may have a right to have this decision reviewed. Please contact our Privacy Officer, if you have questions about access to your medical record.
Your provider is not required to agree to a restriction that you may request. If the doctor believes it is in your best interest to permit use and disclosure of your protected health information, your protected health information will not be restricted. If your doctor does agree to the requested restriction, we may not use or disclose your protected health information in violation of that restriction unless it is needed to provide emergency treatment. With this in mind, please discuss any restriction you wish to request with your doctor.
You may request a restriction by presenting your request, in writing to the staff member identified as "Privacy Officer" at the top of this form. The Privacy Officer will provide you with "Restriction of Consent" form. Complete the form, sign it, and ask that the staff provide you with a photocopy of your request initialed by them. This copy will serve as your receipt.
You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this notice from us, upon request, even if you have agreed to accept this notice electronically.
You may complain to us, or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if you believe your privacy rights have been violated by us. To file a complaint, you may go to: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/complaint-process/index.html
Or our office can provide you with a written form in which to file your complaint. You may also file a complaint with us by notifying our Privacy Officer of your complaint. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Our Privacy Officer is Dr.Mark S. Edinger, you may contact our Privacy Officer, or any staff member, at the following phone number 920-748-3644 or our website www.yeomans-edingerchiropractic.com for further information about the complaint process.
This notice was published and becomes effective on December 23, 2024