NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

I. OUR PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION:

We understand that your health information is personal. We are committed to protecting this information and creating a record of the care and services you receive. This record is essential for providing quality care and complying with legal requirements. This notice applies to all records generated by our mental health care practice.

We are required by law to:

• Keep your protected health information (PHI) private.
• Provide this notice regarding our legal duties and privacy practices.
• Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

 
We may change this notice, and any new terms will apply to all information we have about you. The updated notice will be available upon request and on our website.

II. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION:

The following categories describe how we may use and disclose your health information:

• For Treatment, Payment, or Health Care Operations: We may use your PHI to provide treatment, obtain payment, or conduct health care operations without your written authorization. For instance, we can discuss your case with other health care providers involved in your care.
• Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit, we may disclose your health information in response to a court order or lawful process.

III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:

• Psychotherapy Notes: We keep psychotherapy notes, and any use or disclosure of these requires your authorization unless it falls under specific exceptions, such as treatment purposes or legal requirements.
• Marketing Purposes: We will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes.
• Sale of PHI: We will not sell your PHI as part of our business practices.

IV. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:

We can use and disclose your PHI without your authorization for reasons such as:

• Required disclosures by law.
• Public health activities.
• Health oversight activities.
• Judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Law enforcement purposes.
• Research purposes.

V. OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT:

We may provide your PHI to family or friends involved in your care unless you object.

VI. YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR PHI:

You have the following rights regarding your PHI:

• Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures: You may request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed.
• Request Restrictions for Out-of-Pocket Expenses: You may request restrictions on disclosures for services you have paid out-of-pocket.
• Choose How We Send PHI: You can request specific ways to be contacted regarding your PHI.
• Access and Copies: You have the right to see and obtain copies of your medical records (except psychotherapy notes).
• Request an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI.
• Correct or Update Your PHI: You may request corrections to your PHI.
• Obtain a Copy of this Notice: You can request a paper or electronic copy of this notice.

VII. TEXT MESSAGE COMMUNICATION:

We only use text messaging to respond to your texts regarding scheduling. If you wish to opt out of receiving text messages, you can log into your Simple Practice portal and select "No" to opt out of being contacted via text message.

Terms and Conditions: Our terms and conditions page outlines any applicable terms related to the messaging program, including how to opt out, customer care contact information, and a link to our privacy policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS NOTICE: This notice is effective as of November 2018.