This notice describes how your health information may be used and disclosed by Van Praag Cosmetic & Family Dentistry and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
YOUR RIGHTS: When it comes to your health information you have certain rights. This section explains your rights.
Upon written request, you may:
- Ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your health record or other information we have about you. We may also provide a summary of your health information if requested. A reasonable, cost-based fee may apply. We will provide this information as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after receiving your request.
- Ask us to correct your health information you believe is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny your request but will provide a written explanation within 60 days.
- Request confidential communications. You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
- Ask us to restrict certain uses or disclosures of your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to the request and may deny it if it would affect your care.
- Request restrictions involving out-of-pocket payments. If you pay for a service in full out-of-pocket and request that we not share that information with your health insurer for payment or operations, we will honor that request unless required by law to disclose it.
- Request an accounting of disclosures. You may ask for a list of times we have shared your health information for reasons other than treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and certain other permitted disclosures. We will provide an accounting covering the previous six years. One accounting per year is free; additional requests may involve a reasonable cost-based fee.
- Revoke an authorization. You may revoke any authorization to use or disclose your PHI at any time, in writing, except where action has already been taken in reliance on that authorization.
You may also:
- Choose someone to act on your behalf. If you have given someone medical power of attorney or they are your legal guardian, that person may exercise your rights and make decisions regarding your health information. We will require proof of this authority before taking action.
- Receive a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically.
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You may contact the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at:
200 Independence Ave, S.W.,
Washington, DC 20201
1-877-696-6775
www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
- We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES: The law requires us to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI).
- Notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your information.
- Follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and provide you with a copy.
- Not use or disclose your information in ways not described in this notice unless you authorize us to do so in writing. If you change your mind, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
YOUR CHOICES: For certain health information, you can tell us your preferences regarding what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, please let us know.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
- Share information with your family members, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment for care.
- Share information in disaster relief situations.
If you are unable to tell us your preference (for example, if you are unconscious), we may share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when necessary to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
In these following situations, we will not share your information without your written authorization:
- Marketing purposes
- Sale of your information
- Most sharing of psychotherapy notes
In the case of fundraising, we may contact you regarding fundraising efforts, but you have the right to opt out of receiving such communications.
OUR USES AND DISCLOSURE: We typically use or share your health information in the following ways:
- Treatment. We can use your health information and share it with other professionals involved in your care. For example, we may share information with another dentist or physician if you are referred for specialized treatment.
- Payment. We can use and disclose your health information to bill and receive payment from health plans or other entities. For example, we may provide information to your insurance company so it will pay for services provided.
- Health Care Operations. We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve patient care, and contact you when necessary. For example, we may use information about you to manage treatment plans and services.
- Appointment Reminders and Communications. We may contact you by telephone, voicemail, text message, email, or mail to remind you of appointments, provide treatment information, or discuss billing matters. If you prefer a specific method of communication, please notify our office.
- Business Associates. We may share your health information with third-party service providers that perform services for our practice, such as billing companies, electronic health record providers, laboratories, and consultants. These entities are required by law and contract to protect the privacy and security of your information.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES: We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways that contribute to the public good or public health. These include:
- Public health and safety, such as preventing disease, assisting with recalls, reporting adverse reactions to medications, and reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
- Compliance with law, such as providing information to the Department of Health and Human Services or other authorities when required by law.
- Organ and tissue donation, such as sharing information with organ procurement organizations.
- Medical examiners or funeral directors by providing information after death when necessary.
- Workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and government requests, including activities for health oversight agencies and national security.
- Legal proceedings, such as responding to court orders, subpoenas, or administrative requests.
- Research, such as using or sharing health information for approved health research when required safeguards are in place.
SPECIAL PROTECTIONS: Federal law provides an additional privacy protection for certain health information, including records related to substance use disorder diagnosis or treatment. Such information will not be disclosed without your written consent except as permitted by law under 42 CFR Part 2.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE: We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice, and the revised notice will apply to all health information we maintain. The updated notice will be available upon request in our office and on our website.
CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have any questions about this notice or our privacy practices, please contact our office.