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.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Port Lavaca Clinic Associates is required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your protected health information ("PHI")
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
- Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION
1. Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare.
Example: Sharing information with a specialist, lab, or hospital.
2. Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and receive payment.
Example: Sending information to your insurance company for claims processing.
3. Healthcare Operations
We may use your PHI for clinic operations.
Examples include:
- Quality improvement
- Staff training
- Licensing and accreditation
4. Appointment Reminders and Health-Related Benefits
We may contact you for:
- Appointment reminders
- Follow-up care
- Treatment options or health-related services
5. Individuals Involved in Your Care
We may share information with family members, friends, or others involved in your care unless you object.
6. Required by Law
We will disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law.
7. Public Health Activities
We may disclose your information for:
- Disease control and prevention
- Reporting births, deaths, or infections
- Reporting abuse or neglect
8. Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose PHI to health oversight agencies for audits, inspections, and investigations.
9. Law Enforcement
We may release PHI:
- In response to a court order or subpoena
- To report certain crimes
10. Serious Threat to Health or Safety
We may disclose information to prevent or lessen a serious threat.
11. Workers' Compensation
We may disclose PHI as authorized for workers' compensation claims.
12. Research
We may use or disclose PHI for research under strict approval processes.
USES THAT REQUIRE YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
We will not use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization for:
- Marketing purposes
- Sale of your information
- Most sharing of psychotherapy notes
You may revoke authorization at any time in writing.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
1. Right to Access
You may inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records.
2. Right to Amend
You may request corrections to your health information.
3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made.
4. Right to Request Restrictions
You may request limits on how we use or disclose your PHI.
We are not required to agree, except in certain cases involving self-pay.
5. Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request we contact you in a specific way (e.g., only by phone or mail).
6. Right to a Paper Copy
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. Updated versions will be available in our clinic and upon request.