Use and Disclosure of Your Personal Health Information (PHI)
Your PHI will not be used or disclosed for any purpose not listed below, without your specific written authorization. You must give written authorization to disclose your health information to anyone for any reason you want. Any specific written authorization you provide may be revoked at any time by your written request.
· Health Care Provider - PHI may be used and disclosed to your physician or other healthcare provider who is also treating you.
· Payment - Your PHI may be used and disclosed to your health insurance plan or other third party for payment of services provided for you. If your contract with your insurance company requires that information relevant to the services provided be given before payment, providing them with a clinical diagnosis, as well as clinical information such as treatment plans or summaries and/or copies of any records maintained about your therapy sessions may be required.
· Health Care Operations - Your PHI may be used and disclosed to staff members for the purpose of obtaining insurance eligibility, billing health insurance and inquiring about claim status.
· As Law Requires - Your PHI may be used and disclosed to any person required by federal, state, or local laws to have lawful access to your treatment program.
· Court Orders, Judicial and Administrative Proceedings, and Law Enforcement - Your PHI may be disclosed as part of a court proceeding, in response to a subpoena, or in other situations as required by law.
· Appointment Reminders - You may be contacted through the communication option which you authorize for a reminder.
· Therapist Cancellation – If for some reason an appointment must be cancelled, you will be contacted through the comunication option with you authorize.
· Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence - Your PHI may be used or disclosed to authorized persons from state agencies in cases of disclosures required by applicable state laws governing abuse, neglect, criminal activities, threats to the health/safety of the client and others, domestic violence, etc. In the case of minor children, the law requires such information to be disclosed.
· Event of an Emergency - Your PHI may be disclosed to a family member, a person responsible for your care, or your personal representative in the event of an emergency. If you are present in such a case, you will be given an opportunity to object. If you object or are not present or are incapable of responding, your PHI will be used or disclosed in your best interest at that time. In so doing, only the aspects of your PHI that are necessary for response to the emergency will be used or disclosed.