NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
This office operates in compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). It regulates how Protected Health Information (PHI) about you is shared, stored and handled. It is your right to have a copy of this document. Should you not wish to take it, it will remain available for viewing in this office.
The following protocols will become effective in this office as of April 14, 2003.
Consent and Authorization:
No PHI will be shared with any entity without your written permission. Your PHI may be disclosed to those who are involved in your care for purposes of reimbursement, pre-certification for services, authorization for additional sessions, coordination of care, or any other related services which would effect your treatment. Written permission may be revoked by you at anytime. Any PHI that you request be shared with outside parties will also require your express written permission.
Policy on PHI Disclosure
As per HIPAA mandate, the minimal amount of PHI required to facilitate effective patient care will be disclosed.
Without Authorization:
The types of disclosures that may be made without your authorization are: mandatory reporting of child/elder abuse or neglect; court orders; suicidality/homicidality (duty to warn which includes target of threat, or those who are reasonably able to lessen the threat).
Verbal Permission:
Information may be disclosed to family members only with your verbal permission.
Storage and Transmission of PHI:
PHI this office maintains about you is stored in a locked, secure file to which only this practitioner has access.
Electronic PHI is secure in a system that only this practitioner has access to. HIPAA compliant software has been installed in this office’s system, which protects the confidentiality of any PHI being sent or received. The office’s fax machine is also located in a secure area which only this practitioner has access to.
Your Rights to Access of Your PHI:
You have the right, which may be restricted only in exceptional circumstances,
to a copy of your PHI. Note that this does not include this practitioner’s personal psychotherapy notes. PHI will be restricted only in those situations where there is compelling evidence that access would cause serious harm to you. A cost-based fee will be charged for copies.
Complaints:
You have a right to express complaints to this practitioner should you believe your privacy rights have been violated. If this does not resolve concerns you may file a complaint with the Secretary of Health and Human Services at 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201 or by calling (202) 619-0257.
Please do not hesitate to raise any questions or concerns you have regarding HIPAA policy at any time .