NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
At Groves Family Chiropractic, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information ("PHI"). PHI includes information about your health condition, treatment, and payment for healthcare services that can identify you.
We create and maintain records of the care and services you receive to provide quality healthcare and comply with legal requirements. This Notice describes how we may use and disclose your PHI, your rights regarding your PHI, and our legal duties concerning your privacy.
We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your PHI, whether maintained in paper or electronic form. When records are transported, accessed remotely, or otherwise used outside the office, appropriate safeguards are utilized to protect their confidentiality and security.
If you have questions regarding this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer at 217-875-7388.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
Federal law permits us to use and disclose your PHI without obtaining your written authorization for purposes of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. For example, we may share information with another healthcare provider involved in your care so they can understand your condition and treatment needs.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for healthcare services provided to you. For example, we may submit information to Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurers, or other third-party payers to process claims and receive reimbursement.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI to support our business activities and improve the quality of care we provide. Examples include quality assessment, staff training, credentialing, licensing activities, auditing functions, and business planning.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
De-Identified Information
We may use or disclose information that has been de-identified in accordance with applicable law so that it cannot reasonably be used to identify you.
Business Associates
We may disclose PHI to business associates who perform services on our behalf, such as billing companies, information technology vendors, record storage providers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, or other contractors. We require these organizations to appropriately safeguard your PHI.
Personal Representatives
We may disclose your PHI to a person authorized by law to act on your behalf regarding healthcare decisions.
Individuals Involved in Your Care
Unless you object, we may share relevant information with family members, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care when appropriate.
Emergencies and Disaster Relief
We may use or disclose your PHI when necessary to provide emergency treatment or assist authorized disaster relief organizations.
Public Health Activities
We may disclose PHI for public health activities authorized by law, including disease prevention, injury prevention, reporting adverse events, and public health investigations.
Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence
We may disclose your PHI when required or authorized by law to report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose PHI to governmental agencies responsible for oversight of the healthcare system, licensing, audits, inspections, investigations, and regulatory activities.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
We may disclose your PHI in response to a court order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process when permitted or required by law.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose PHI to law enforcement officials when required or permitted by law.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
We may disclose PHI for identification purposes, determination of cause of death, and other duties authorized by law.
Organ and Tissue Donation
If applicable, we may disclose PHI to organizations involved in organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation.
Research
We may use or disclose PHI for research purposes when permitted by law and when appropriate privacy protections are in place.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or SafetyWe may disclose PHI if we believe it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.
Workers' Compensation
We may disclose PHI as authorized or required by workers' compensation laws and similar programs.
As Required by Law
We may use or disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law.
USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization unless otherwise permitted or required by law.
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent we have already relied upon it.
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS
If we maintain records that are subject to federal confidentiality protections governing substance use disorder treatment records, we will not disclose such records without your written authorization except as permitted or required by applicable law.
You have rights regarding such records, including rights related to access, confidentiality protections, and accounting of disclosures as provided by applicable law.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the right to:
Inspect and Obtain Copies
You may inspect and obtain copies of your health records, including electronic copies when available, subject to certain legal exceptions.
Request an Amendment
If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that we amend it.
Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI. While we are not required to agree to every request, we will comply with applicable legal requirements.
Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a particular manner or at a particular location to protect your privacy.
Receive an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI made by our office.
Receive a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have received it electronically.
Receive Notification of a Breach
You have the right to be notified if a breach occurs involving your unsecured PHI.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
We are required by law to:
COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Officer by calling 217-875-7388.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
At Groves Family Chiropractic, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information ("PHI"). PHI includes information about your health condition, treatment, and payment for healthcare services that can identify you.
We create and maintain records of the care and services you receive to provide quality healthcare and comply with legal requirements. This Notice describes how we may use and disclose your PHI, your rights regarding your PHI, and our legal duties concerning your privacy.
We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your PHI, whether maintained in paper or electronic form. When records are transported, accessed remotely, or otherwise used outside the office, appropriate safeguards are utilized to protect their confidentiality and security.
If you have questions regarding this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer at 217-875-7388.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
Federal law permits us to use and disclose your PHI without obtaining your written authorization for purposes of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. For example, we may share information with another healthcare provider involved in your care so they can understand your condition and treatment needs.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for healthcare services provided to you. For example, we may submit information to Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurers, or other third-party payers to process claims and receive reimbursement.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI to support our business activities and improve the quality of care we provide. Examples include quality assessment, staff training, credentialing, licensing activities, auditing functions, and business planning.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
De-Identified Information
We may use or disclose information that has been de-identified in accordance with applicable law so that it cannot reasonably be used to identify you.
Business Associates
We may disclose PHI to business associates who perform services on our behalf, such as billing companies, information technology vendors, record storage providers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, or other contractors. We require these organizations to appropriately safeguard your PHI.
Personal Representatives
We may disclose your PHI to a person authorized by law to act on your behalf regarding healthcare decisions.
Individuals Involved in Your Care
Unless you object, we may share relevant information with family members, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care when appropriate.
Emergencies and Disaster Relief
We may use or disclose your PHI when necessary to provide emergency treatment or assist authorized disaster relief organizations.
Public Health Activities
We may disclose PHI for public health activities authorized by law, including disease prevention, injury prevention, reporting adverse events, and public health investigations.
Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence
We may disclose your PHI when required or authorized by law to report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose PHI to governmental agencies responsible for oversight of the healthcare system, licensing, audits, inspections, investigations, and regulatory activities.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
We may disclose your PHI in response to a court order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process when permitted or required by law.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose PHI to law enforcement officials when required or permitted by law.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
We may disclose PHI for identification purposes, determination of cause of death, and other duties authorized by law.
Organ and Tissue Donation
If applicable, we may disclose PHI to organizations involved in organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation.
Research
We may use or disclose PHI for research purposes when permitted by law and when appropriate privacy protections are in place.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or SafetyWe may disclose PHI if we believe it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.
Workers' Compensation
We may disclose PHI as authorized or required by workers' compensation laws and similar programs.
As Required by Law
We may use or disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law.
USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization unless otherwise permitted or required by law.
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent we have already relied upon it.
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS
If we maintain records that are subject to federal confidentiality protections governing substance use disorder treatment records, we will not disclose such records without your written authorization except as permitted or required by applicable law.
You have rights regarding such records, including rights related to access, confidentiality protections, and accounting of disclosures as provided by applicable law.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the right to:
Inspect and Obtain Copies
You may inspect and obtain copies of your health records, including electronic copies when available, subject to certain legal exceptions.
Request an Amendment
If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that we amend it.
Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI. While we are not required to agree to every request, we will comply with applicable legal requirements.
Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a particular manner or at a particular location to protect your privacy.
Receive an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI made by our office.
Receive a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have received it electronically.
Receive Notification of a Breach
You have the right to be notified if a breach occurs involving your unsecured PHI.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
- Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
- Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your PHI.
COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Officer by calling 217-875-7388.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.