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NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES 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. LG Steck Memorial Clinic, PS and its affiliates respects your privacy. We understand that your personal health information is very sensitive. We will not disclose your information to others unless you tell us to do so, or unless the law authorizes or requires us to do so. The law protects the privacy of the health information we create and obtain in providing our care and services to you. For example, your protected health information includes your symptoms, test results, diagnoses, treatment, health information from other providers, and billing and payment information relating to these services. Federal and state law allows us to use and disclose your protected health information for purposes of treatment and health care operations. State law requires us to get your authorization to disclose this information for payment purposes. Examples of Use and Disclosures of Protected Health Information for Treatment, Payment, and Health Operations For treatment: We may also provide information to others providing you care. This will help them stay informed about your care. For payment: For health care operations: We may use and disclose medical records to review the qualifications and performance of our health care providers and to train our staff. We may contact you to remind you about appointments (by phone or mail)
and We may contact you to raise funds. We may use and disclose your information to conduct or arrange for services,
including: Medical quality review by your health plan
Your Health Information Rights The health and billing records we create and store are the property of the practice/health care facility. The protected health information in it, however, generally belongs to you. You have a right to:
For help with these rights during normal business hours, please contact our Privacy Officer at 360-748-0211. Our Responsibilities We are required to: We have the right to change our practices regarding the protected health information we maintain. If we make changes, we will update this Notice. You may receive the most recent copy of this Notice by calling and asking for it or by visiting our offices to pick one up. To Ask for Help or Complain If you have questions, want more information, or want to report a problem
about the handling of your protected health information, you may contact: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may discuss your concerns with any staff member. You may also deliver a written complaint to the HIPAA Compliance Officer at our practice/health care facility. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. We respect your right to file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. If you complain, we will not retaliate against you.
Notification of Family and Others Unless you object, we may release health information about you to a friend
or family member who is involved in your medical care. We may also give
information to someone who helps pay for your care. We may tell your family
or friends your condition and that you are in a hospital. In addition,
we may disclose health information about you to assist in disaster relief
efforts. We may use and disclose your protected health information without your authorization as follows: With Medical Researchers-if the research has been approved and has policies to protect the privacy of your health information. We may also share information with medical researchers preparing to conduct a research project. To Funeral Directors/Coroners consistent with applicable law to allow them to carry out their duties. To Organ Procurement Organizations (tissue donation and transplant) or persons who obtain, store, or transplant organs. To the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relating to problems with food, supplements, and products. To Comply with Workers Compensation Laws-if you make a workers compensation claim. For Public Health and Safety Purposes as Allowed or Required by Law: to prevent or reduce a serious, immediate threat to health or safety of a person or the public. To public health or legal authorities to protect public health and safety, to prevent or control disease, injury or disability, and to report vital statistics such as births and deaths. To Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect to public authorities. To Correctional Institutions if you are in jail or prison, as necessary for your health and the health and safety of others. For Law Enforcement Purposes such as when we receive a subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or you are the victim of a crime. For Health and Safety Oversight Activities. For example, we may share health information with the Department of Health. For Disaster Relief Purposes. For example, we may share health information with disaster relief agencies to assist in notification of your condition to family or others. For Work-Related Conditions That Could Affect Employee Health. For example, an employer may ask us to assess health risks on a job site. To the Military Authorities of U.S. and Foreign Military Personnel. For example, the law may require us to provide information necessary to a military mission. In the Course of Judicial/Administrative Proceedings at your request, or as directed by a subpoena or court order. For Specialized Government Functions. For example, we may share information for national security purposes. Other Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information Uses and disclosures not in this Notice will be made only as allowed or required by law or with your written authorization.
Effective Date:
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