THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") requires that all medical records and other individually identifiable health information must be kept properly confidential. This Notice explains the ways in which I may use and disclose your health information, and your related rights as a patient. I am required by law to follow the terms of this Notice so long as it remains in effect. Feel free to ask questions about this Notice at any time.
WHAT IS PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION ("PHI")
PHI is information that individually identifies you. It includes records that I create or obtain from you or from another health care provider, health plan, your employer, or a health care clearinghouse regarding: Your past, present, or future physical or mental health or conditions, The provision of health care to you, or The past, present, or future payment for your health care.
HOW I MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PHI
I may use and disclose your PHI in the following circumstances: Treatment. I may use or disclose your PHI to give you medical treatment or services and to manage and coordinate your medical care. For example, your PHI may be provided to a physician or other health care provider (e.g., a specialist or laboratory) to whom you have been referred to ensure that the physician or other health care provider has the necessary information to diagnose or treat you or provide you with a service. Payment. I may use and disclose your PHI in order to bill for the treatment and services you receive from me and to collect payment from you, a health plan, or a third party. This use and disclosure may include certain activities that your health insurance plan may undertake before it approves or pays for the health care services I recommend for you, such as making a determination of eligibility or coverage for insurance benefits, reviewing services provided to you for medical necessity, and undertaking utilization review activities. For example, I may need to give your health plan information about your treatment in order for your health plan to agree to pay for that treatment. Health Care Operations. I may use and disclose PHI for my health care operations. For example, I may use your PHI to internally review the quality of the treatment and services you receive and to evaluate my own performance. I may also disclose information to my professional associates for educational and learning purposes. Appointment Reminders/Treatment Alternatives/Health-Related Benefits and Services. I may use and disclose PHI to contact you to remind you that you have an appointment for medical care, or to contact you to tell you about possible treatment options or alternatives or health related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. Minors. I may disclose the PHI of minors to their parents or guardians unless otherwise prohibited by law. Business Associates. I may disclose PHI to my business associates who perform functions on my behalf or provide me with services if the PHI is necessary for those functions or services. For example, I may use another company to do my billing, or to provide transcription or consulting services. All of my business associates are obligated, under contract with me, to protect the privacy and ensure the security of your PHI. To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. I may use and disclose PHI when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health or safety or to the health or safety of others. Public Health Risks. I may disclose PHI for public health reasons in order to prevent or control disease, injury or disability; or report births, deaths, suspected abuse or neglect, non-accidental physical injuries, reactions to medications or problems with products. Health Oversight Activities. I may disclose PHI to a health oversight agency for audits, investigations, inspections, licensure, and similar activities that are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws. Workers' Compensation. I may use or disclose PHI for workers' compensation or similar programs that provide benefits for work- related injuries or illness. Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors. I may disclose PHI to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. Law Enforcement. I may disclose PHI for law enforcement purposes, if all applicable legal requirements are met.
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