- disclosures of a “limited data set” for research, public health, or health care operations;
- incidental disclosures that are an unavoidable by-product of permitted uses or disclosures;
- disclosures to “business associates” who perform health care operations for us and who commit to respect the privacy of your health information;
- use your health information in a Health Information Exchange (HIE) system.
Unless you object, we will also share relevant information about your care with your family or friends who are helping you with your eye care.
APPOINTMENT REMINDERS
We may call or write to remind you of scheduled appointments, or that it is time to make a routine appointment. We may also call or write to notify you of other treatments or services available at our office that might help you. Unless you tell us otherwise, we may mail an appointment reminder on a post card, and/or send an email to a provided address, text message to a mobile phone, leave a reminder message on your home answering machine or with someone who answers your phone if you are not home.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES
We will not make any other uses or disclosures of your health information unless you sign a written “authorization form.” The content of an “authorization form” is determined by federal law. Sometimes, we may initiate the authorization process if the use or disclosure is our idea. Sometimes, you may initiate the process if it’s your idea for us to send your information to someone else. Typically, in this situation you will give us a properly completed authorization form, or you can use one of ours.
If we initiate the process and ask you to sign an authorization form, you do not have to sign it. If you do not sign the authorization, we cannot make the use or disclosure. If you do sign one, you may revoke it at any time unless we have already acted in reliance upon it. Revocations must be in writing. Send them to the office contact person named at the beginning of this Notice, or “attention acting HIPAA Privacy Officer.”
You have the right to be notified of unauthorized access of your protected health information.
MARKETING
We will not sell or otherwise transfer your health information for marketing purposes without your specific authorization of that transaction. We will use your information for our own marketing purposes such as newsletters, promotions, product announcements, and changes in the practice that affect your care. We will get your authorization first for written or electronic communications in which we are receiving financial remuneration from outside sources.