Notice of Privacy Practices and Consumer Rights
At LFS Counseling, our policy is that your information is only used for purposes directly related to your care. Your information will never be used or shared without your written consent. All records and transactions are confidential and privileged and are handled in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 93-579, the “Privacy Act of 1974”, and as appropriate Federal Guidelines governing Alcohol Abuse information 42 CFR Part II and HIPAA. You have the right to request a copy of your own records. LFS Counseling requires a written request for this and reserves the right to charge copying/shipping fees. No more than 15 cents will be charged for each page and no more than $5.00 will be charged for shipping. (See HIPAA Compliance Rule for more information) In most cases, your copies must be given to you within 30 days. You have the right to change any wrong information in your file or add information to your file if you think something is missing or incomplete. You have the right to find out who has seen your information. You have the right to ask that your information not be shared with certain people, groups, or companies. You can ask for other kinds of restrictions, but if those restrictions could affect your care, then we reserve the right to not agree to those restrictions. You have the right to make reasonable requests to be contacted at different places or in a different way, whether by mail, phone, etc. If you think your rights are being denied or your information is not being protected, you have the right to file a complaint with LFS Counseling, your health insurer, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (See contact info below). Office for Civil Rights Headquarters U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Toll Free Call Center: 1-800-368-1019 TTD Number: 1-800-537-7697
I have received notification of LFS Counseling’s Privacy Practices and understand my rights regarding my protected health information.
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
CONSUMER RIGHTS
Each consumer has the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
Furthermore: Each consumer shall retain all rights, benefits, and privileges guaranteed by law except those lost through due process of law. Each consumer has the right to receive services suited to his or her condition in a safe, sanitary and humane treatment environment regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, degree of disability, handicapping condition or sexual orientation. No consumer shall be neglected or sexually, physically, verbally, or otherwise abused. Each consumer shall be provided with prompt, competent, and appropriate treatment; and an individualized treatment plan. A consumer shall participate in his or her treatment programs and may consent or refuse to consent to the proposed treatment. The right to consent or refuse to consent may be abridged for those consumers adjudged incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and in emergency situations as defined by law. Additionally, each consumer shall have the right to the following: Allow other individuals of the consumer's choice participate in the consumer's treatment and with the consumer's consent; To be free from unnecessary, inappropriate, or excessive treatment; To participate in consumer's own treatment planning; To receive treatment for co-occurring disorders if present; To not be subject to unnecessary, inappropriate, or unsafe termination from treatment; and To not be discharged for displaying symptoms of the consumer's disorder. Every consumer's record shall be treated in a confidential manner. No consumer shall be required to participate in any research project or medical experiment without his or her informed consent as defined by law. Refusal to participate shall not affect the services available to the consumer. A consumer shall have the right to assert grievances with respect to an alleged infringement on his or her rights. Each consumer has the right to request the opinion of an outside medical or psychiatric consultant at his or her own expense or a right to an internal consultation
upon request at no expense. No consumer shall be retaliated against or subjected to any adverse change of conditions or treatment because the consumer asserted his or her rights.
CONSUMER ADVOCACY DIVISION
To advocate for a consumer is to defend their rights and to promote their interest. The Consumer Advocacy division accomplishes this in many different ways. The Consumer Advocacy monitors facilities to ensure they comply with applicable treatment standards, as well as state and federal laws and guidelines. Regular monitoring enhances the quality of life for consumers by promoting effective communication between staff members, consumers and families and in identifying potential problem areas. Educating consumers of their rights is a critical function of Advocacy. Equally important is increasing staff knowledge of consumer rights. One way this is accomplished is by participating in new employee orientation. The Advocacy division works cooperatively with representatives of the Oklahoma Disability Law Center, the Oklahoma Consumer Council and the Oklahoma National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. We are also a resource for consumers in finding and accessing services. Providing information to consumers and families, monitoring treatment facilities, training staff and working with rights organizations are some ways the Consumer Advocacy Division protects and promotes Consumer Rights.
How to Contact the Advocacy Division ODMHSAS: Office of Consumer Advocacy, E-Mail: AdvocacyDivision@odmhsas. org Local: (405) 521-4256 Toll Free: (866) 699-6605 Reachout Hotline (800) 522-9054