Notice of privacy practices (HIPAA)
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how I protect your personal health information, tells when I can use and disclose your clinical information, and explains certain rights you have regarding this information. I am providing you with this notice in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and will comply with the terms as stated. I will obey the rules of this notices as long as it is in effect. You can get a copy from me at any time. As the law requires, I will ask you to sign a form indicating that you have read and understood this notice.
Disclosure of Your Personal Health Information
I protect your personal health information from any inappropriate use and disclosure. The information obtained in the course of providing services to you and is related to your medical records, psychotherapy visits, and payment information. It is likely to include your history, reasons you came for psychotherapy, diagnose and progress notes I make. I will not disclose any personal health information without your written authorization, unless such disclosure is permitted or required by law.
I need your permission to disclose information on an authorization form.
You may revoke your discloser authorization at any time in writing.
How your protected health information can be used and shared
Your health information can be shared with other health care providers or another party only with your authorization for the purpose of advancing your treatment. I will disclose only the necessary information for the benefit of your treatment.
Treatment and Care Management
In order to provide care to you I have to obtain information from you about your background, condition and any relevant issues. Therefore you must sign the Consent form before I begin to treat you.
Payment
I can use your information to bill you. At your request I can send information to your insurance, or another party so I can be paid for the treatments I provide to you.
Right to Inspect and Copy.
You have the right to request a copy your personal health information. The request should describe the information you want to review. In limited circumstances, you may not be able to review or copy certain information. These include psychotherapy notes, or information collected for a claim or legal proceeding. If I determine that reviewing your records may cause harm to you or others or would negatively affect your treatment, I may deny access to your records. I may charge you a reasonable fee for the service of collecting and coping the data.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures.
You have the right to receive a list of accounting disclosures of payments you made. Your request should specify the time period for which you want this list, which can be no longer than 3 years.
For questions or problems
If you need more information or have questions about the privacy practices described above, please speak to me. If you have a problem with the way your health information has been handled, or if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, contact me. You have the right to file a complaint with me and with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.