HIPAA Policy
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Hargrave Chiropractic
525 E Bridge St, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
Christopher Hargrave, D.C.
Phone: (337) 486-4415
Effective Date: August 8, 2013
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL PRIVACY
This notice explains how health information about you may be used or shared, and how you can access that information. Please read it carefully.
Hargrave Chiropractic is committed to protecting the privacy of your medical information. In the course of providing care, we create and maintain records related to the services you receive. These records may be in paper or electronic form and may include information received from other healthcare providers. We use this information to deliver quality care, receive payment for services, and operate our practice in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
We are required by law to:
- Safeguard the privacy of your protected health information
- Provide you with this notice describing our legal duties and privacy practices
- Notify you if a breach of unsecured protected health information occurs
This notice outlines how we may use or disclose your information, your rights regarding that information, and our responsibilities. If you have questions, please contact our Privacy Officer at the phone number listed above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How We May Use or Share Your Health Information
- Uses and Disclosures Requiring Authorization
- Your Privacy Rights
- Changes to This Notice
- Complaints and Contact Information
A. How We May Use or Share Your Health Information
We may use or disclose your protected health information for the following purposes, as permitted or required by law:
- Treatment
- Payment
- Healthcare Operations
- Appointment Reminders
- Office Procedures
- Communication With Family or Caregivers
- Marketing and Health-Related Communications
- Sale of Health Information
- Legal and Public Purposes
- Public health reporting
- Health oversight activities
- Judicial or administrative proceedings
- Law enforcement purposes
- Reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
- Organ and tissue donation
- Coroners and medical examiners
- Preventing serious threats to health or safety
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Specialized government functions
- Proof of Immunization
- Change in Ownership
- Breach Notification
We use your medical information to provide care and services. This may include sharing information with staff members or other healthcare providers involved in your treatment, such as specialists, pharmacies, laboratories, or other professionals who assist with your care. Information may also be shared with family members or others involved in your care when appropriate.
We may use and disclose your information to bill and collect payment for services. This includes submitting information to insurance companies, health plans, or other entities responsible for payment, as well as coordinating payment-related activities with other providers.
Your information may be used to support the day-to-day operation of our practice, including quality improvement, staff training, audits, compliance activities, business planning, and administrative services. We may share information with contracted service providers (business associates) who perform services on our behalf and are legally required to protect your information.
We may contact you to remind you of upcoming appointments or to provide information related to your care. Messages may be left on voicemail or with someone who answers the phone unless you request otherwise.
We may ask you to sign in upon arrival or call your name when it is time for your appointment.
We may share relevant information with a family member, personal representative, or someone involved in your care or payment for care, unless you object. In emergencies or disaster situations, we may share information to assist with notification efforts.
We may contact you about services or treatment options related to your care, wellness programs, or health education. We will not receive payment for marketing communications without your written authorization. You may revoke any marketing authorization at any time.
We will not sell your health information without your written permission.
We may use or disclose your information as required by law, including for:
With your agreement, we may provide proof of immunization to schools or other required entities.
If this practice is sold, merged, or reorganized, your records may transfer to the new owner, but your privacy rights will remain intact.
If your unsecured protected health information is compromised, we will notify you as required by law.
B. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Authorization
Except as described in this notice, we will not use or disclose your health information without your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing.
C. Your Privacy Rights
You have the right to:
- Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures
- Request confidential communications in a specific way or location
- Inspect and obtain copies of your medical records (with limited exceptions)
- Request corrections to your records if you believe they are incorrect or incomplete
- Receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your information
- Obtain a paper or electronic copy of this notice at any time
To exercise these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer. Requests must generally be submitted in writing.
D. Changes to This Notice
We may update this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time. Any changes will apply to all information we maintain, including information created before the change. The current notice will be available in our office and on our website.
E. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated or you have concerns about how your information is handled, you may contact our Privacy Officer.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:
Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov
Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.