PRIVACY POLICY

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.

HIPAA Information and Consent Form The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides safeguards to protect your privacy. There are rules and restrictions on who may see or be notified of your Protected Health Information (PHI). These restrictions do not include the normal interchange of information necessary to provide you with office services. HIPAA provides certain rights and protections to you as the patient. We balance these needs with our goal of providing you with quality professional service and care. We have adopted the following policies:

1. Patient information will be kept confidential except as is necessary to provide services or to ensure that all administrative matters related to your care are handled appropriately. This specifically includes the sharing of information with other healthcare providers, laboratories, and health insurance payers as is necessary and appropriate for your care. You agree to the normal procedures utilized within the office for the handling of charts, patient records, PHI, and other documents or information.
2. It is the policy of this office to remind patients of their appointments. We may do this by telephone, e-mail, U.S mail, or by any means convenient for Elizabeth Hernandez, LCSW, LLC, (further referred to as the “Practice”) and/or as requested by you. We may send you other communications informing you of changes to office policy and new technology that you might find valuable or informative.
3. The Practice utilizes several vendors in the conduct of business. These vendors may have access to PHI but must agree to abide by the confidentiality rules of HIPAA.
4. You understand and agree to inspections of the office and review of documents, which may include PHI, by government agencies or insurance payers in the normal performance of their duties.
5. You agree to bring any concerns or complaints regarding privacy to the attention of the office manager, provider, and/or therapist.
6. Your confidential information will not be used for the purposes of marketing or advertising of products, goods, or services.
7. We agree to provide patients with access to their records in accordance with state and federal laws.
8. We may change, add, delete, or modify any of these provisions to better serve the needs of both the Practice and the patient.
9. You have the right to request restrictions in the use of your protected health information and to request a change in certain policies used within the office concerning your PHI. However, we are not obligated to alter internal policies to conform to your request.
10. You understand that as part of your healthcare, this Practice originates and maintains health records describing your health history, symptoms, examination and test results, diagnosis, treatment, and any plans for future care or treatment. You understand that this information serves as: o a basis for planning your care and treatment. o a means of communication among the health professionals who may contribute to your health care. o a source of information for applying your diagnosis and surgical information to my bill. You may revoke your authorization, at any time, by contacting the Practice in writing, using the information above. The Practice will not use or share PHI other than as described in Notice unless you give your permission in writing.