Our Vision
We are committed to protecting the privacy of your health information, called “protected health information” or “PHI”. PHI is information that can be used to identify you that we have created or received about your past, present, or future health or condition, the provision of health care to you, or payment for health care provided to you. We are required to provide you with this notice to explain our privacy practices and how, when, and why we use and disclose your PHI. In general, we may not use or disclose any more of your PHI than is necessary to accomplish the purpose of the use or disclosure, although there are some exceptions. We are legally required to follow the privacy practices described in this notice and notify you following a breach of your unsecured PHI.
We use and disclose PHI for different reasons, and some require your prior specific authorization. The different categories of our uses and disclosures are described below, with examples of each.
For Treatment. We may use and disclose your PHI to physicians, nurses, medical students and other health care personnel who provide health care services to you or who are involved in your care. For example, if you are treated for a knee injury, we may disclose your PHI to the physical therapy provider to coordinate your care.
When disclosure is required by federal, state or local law, judicial or administrative proceedings, or law enforcement. For example, we make disclosures when a law requires that we report information to government agencies and law enforcement personnel about victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence, when dealing with gunshot and other wounds, or when ordered in a judicial or administrative proceeding.
To avoid harm. To avoid a serious threat to the health or safety of a person or the public, we may provide PHI to law enforcement personnel or persons able to prevent or lessen the potential harm.
To provide appointment reminders and health-related benefits or services. We may use PHI to provide appointment reminders. We may also give you information about treatment alternatives, or other healthcare services or benefits we provide.
Uses and Disclosures to Which You Have an Opportunity to Object.
Disclosure to family, friends, or others. We may provide your PHI to a family member, friend or other persons who are involved in your care or responsible for the payment for your health care unless you object in whole or in part.
All Other Uses and Disclosures Require Your Prior Written Authorization. In situations that are not covered by this Notice, your written authorization is needed before using or disclosing your PHI, including most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes (if recorded or maintained by us), financially-supported marketing of 3rd party products or services, and the sale of PHI, unless otherwise specified by law. Your authorization can always be revoked in writing (but it would not apply to prior disclosures made based on your initial authorization).