Notice of Privacy Practices

How we may use and share your health information

Treatment. We use and share your information to coordinate your care, for example with your physicians, specialists, home health agencies, pharmacies, and community organizations involved in your care.

Payment. We use and share your information to bill and get paid by Medicare, Medicaid, insurers, or your physician practice, for example to confirm eligibility or submit claims.

Health care operations. We use and share your information to run our organization, improve care, train staff, and conduct quality reviews and audits.

Business associates. We share information with companies that perform services for us, such as electronic health record, billing, and communication vendors. They must sign agreements to protect your information.

Family and friends. We may share information with a family member, caregiver, or friend involved in your care or payment for your care, unless you object. If you cannot agree or object, such as in an emergency, we may share information if we believe it is in your best interest.

Community resources. We may share information with community-based organizations to connect you with services such as food, housing, transportation, or benefits assistance, as part of your care.

Other uses and disclosures permitted or required by law.We may share your information: when required by law; for public health activities, such as preventing disease or reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence; for health oversight activities, such as audits by Medicare; in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process; to law enforcement as allowed by law; to avoid a serious threat to health or safety; to coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors; for organ and tissue donation; for workers' compensation; for specialized government functions; and for research under conditions that protect your privacy.

Uses that require your written authorization

We will not do the following without your written permission: use or share psychotherapy notes (except as allowed by law); use your information for marketing; or sell your information. Other uses not described in this notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we already relied on it.

Reproductive health care information

To the extent required by applicable law, we will not use or disclose your information to investigate or impose liability on any person for seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating lawful reproductive health care.

Substance use disorder treatment records

If we receive records protected by federal law (42 CFR Part 2) about substance use disorder treatment, those records will not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you without your written consent or a court order. If we receive such records under a general consent for treatment, payment, and health care operations, we may use and disclose them as permitted by HIPAA. We do not conduct fundraising. If we ever do, you will have the right to opt out.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• Get a copy of your health and billing records. Ask us in writing. We will usually respond within 30 days and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
• Ask us to correct your record if you think it is incorrect or incomplete. We may say no, but will explain why in writing within 60 days.
• Request confidential communications, such as contacting you at a different address or phone number. We will agree to reasonable requests.
• Ask us to limit what we use or share. We are not required to agree, except that if you pay for a service in full out of pocket, you can ask us not to share that information with your health insurer, and we will agree unless the law requires us to share it.
• Get a list of those with whom we have shared your information for six years before the date you ask, excluding disclosures for treatment, payment, operations, and certain others. One list per year is free.
• Get a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
• Choose someone to act for you, such as a health care power of attorney or legal guardian.
• File a complaint if you feel your rights have been violated.

Complaints

You can complain to us by contacting our Privacy Officer below, or to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201, by calling 1-877-696-6775, or at www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints (opens in a new tab). We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to this notice

We may change this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be posted on this page and is available on request.

Privacy Officer