The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that health providers keep your medical and dental information private. The HIPAA Privacy Rule states that health providers must also post in a clear and prominent location and provide patients with a written Notice of Privacy Policy.
The privacy practices described are currently in effect. We reserve the right to change our privacy practices, and the Terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by law. If changes are made, a new Notice of Privacy policy will be displayed in our office and provided to patients. You may request a copy of our Notice at any time. Additional information may be obtained from the HIPAA Coordinator listed in our written HIPAA plan.
USES AND DISCLOSURES OF HEALTH INFORMATION
The following describes how information about you may be used in this dental office:
- Treatment Services: We may use or disclose your health information to all our staff members, other dentists, physicians, and/or other health care providers taking care of you.
- Payment and Health Care Operations: We may use or disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we provide to you, to participate in quality assurance, disease management, training, licensing, and certification programs. Upon your written request, we will not disclose to your health insurer any services paid by you out of pocket.
- Marketing/Fundraising: We will not use your health information for marketing or fundraising purposes without your written consent. You can opt out of receiving information about our marketing or fundraisers. We will not sell your health information without your explicit authorization.
- Appointment Reminders: We may use or disclose your health information to provide you with appointment reminders such as voicemail messages, text messages, emails, postcards, or letters.
- Legal Requirements: We may use or disclose your health information when required to do so by law.
- Abuse or Neglect: If abuse or neglect is reasonably suspected, we may use or disclose your health information to the appropriate governmental authorities.
- National Security: When required, we may disclose military personnel's health information to the Armed Forces. Information may be given to authorized federal offices when required for intelligence and national security activities. Health information for inmates in custody of law enforcement may be provided to correctional institutes.
- Family Members, Friends, and Others Involved in Care: At your request, we may disclose your health information to a family member or other person if necessary to assist with your treatment and/or payment for services. Based on our judgement and asper 164.522(a) of HIPAA we may disclose your information to these persons in the event of an emergency situation. We also may make information available so that another person may pick up filled prescriptions, medical supplies, records, or x-rays for you. Your information may be disclosed to assist in notifying a family member, caregiver, or personal representative of your location, condition, or death.
- Business Associates: Some services in our organization are provided through contact with business associates. Examples include practice management software representatives, accountants, answering service personnel, etc. When these services are contracted, we may disclose your health information to our business associates so that they can perform the job we have asked them to do and bill you or your third-party payer for services rendered. All of our business associates are required to safeguard your information and to follow HIPAA Privacy Rules.
- Workers' Compensation: We may release medical information about you for workers' compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses.
