Notice of Privacy Practices
Spectrum Psychiatry is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your personal health information (PHI) as required by law to keep your information private.
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State and Federal laws require us to maintain the privacy of your health information and to inform you about our privacy practices by providing you with this Notice. We are required to abide by the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices. This Notice will take effect on 10/01/2021 and will remain in effect until it is amended or replaced by us.
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THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION, YOUR RIGHTS CONCERNING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION AND OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION.
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We reserve the right to change our privacy practices provided law permits the changes. Before we make a significant change, this Notice will be amended to reflect the changes and we will make the new Notice available upon request. We reserve the right to make any changes in our privacy practices and the new terms of our Notice effective for all health information maintained, created and/or received by us before the date changes were made. You may request a copy of our Privacy Notice at any time by contacting our Privacy Officer, Meaza Ejigu PMHNP
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We will use the information about your health which we get from you or from others mainly to provide you with treatment, to arrange payment for our services, and for some other business activities which are called, in the law, health care operations.
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While we are providing you with health care services, we may share your protected health information (PHI) including electronic protected health information (ePHI) with other health care providers, business associates and their subcontractors or individuals who are involved in your treatment, billing, administrative support, or data analysis. These business associates and subcontractors through signed contracts are required by Federal law to protect your health information.
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We may use and disclose your health information to seek payment for services we provide to you. This disclosure involves our business office staff and may include insurance organizations, collections or other third parties that may be responsible for such costs, such as family members.
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We may disclose and/or share protected health information (PHI) including electronic disclosure with other health care professionals who provide treatment and/or service to you. These professionals will have a privacy and confidentiality policy like this one. Health information about you may also be disclosed to people you choose with your written consent. If an individual is deceased, you may disclose PHI to a family member or individual involved in care or payment prior to death. Psychotherapy notes will not be used or disclosed without your written authorization.
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You have the right to obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information as provided in 45 C.F.R. 164.528.
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We may use or disclose your health information to notify or assist in the notification of a family member or anyone responsible for your care, in case of any emergency involving your care, your location, your general condition or death. If possible, we will provide you with an opportunity to object to this use or disclosure. Under emergency conditions or if you are incapacitated, we will use our professional judgment to disclose only that information directly relevant to your care.
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You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information as provided in 45 C.F.R. 164.524. This includes health information we have about you such as your medical and billing records. You must make this request in writing to our Compliance Officer. We have the right to charge a reasonable fee for requested records.
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You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information as provided by 45 C.F.R. 164.522. You have the right to request that we not share information about your treatment with your insurance plan if you pay for services out of pocket if the request is not required by law.
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We may disclose your health information when required to do so by law. We will use and disclose your information when requested by law enforcement, when there is a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another individual or the public. We will disclose your health care information to report problems with products, reactions to medications, product recalls, disease/infection exposure and to prevent and control disease, injury and/or disability. This information will be disclosed only to the extent necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health or safety or that of others.
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We may use your health records to remind you of recommended services, treatment, or scheduled appointments.
If you believe the information in your records is incorrect or missing important Information, you can ask us to make some kinds of changes (called amending) to your health information as provided in 45 C.F.R. 164.526. You must make this request in writing and send it to our Privacy Officer. You must tell use the reasons you want to make the changes. Under certain circumstances, your request may be denied.
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Breach Notification Requirements: It is presumed that any acquisition, access, use or disclosure of PHI not permitted under HIPAA regulations is a breach as provided in 45 C.F.R. 164.520(b)(1)(v)(A)). We are required to complete a risk assessment, and if necessary, inform HHS and take any other steps required by law. You will be notified of the situation and any steps you should take to protect yourself against harm due to the breach.
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You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You can file a complaint with our Privacy Officer and with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints must be in writing. Filing complaints will not change the healthcare we provide to you in any way. Uses and disclosures not described in this notice will be made only with your signed authorization.
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact:
Meaza Ejigu
480-372-4135
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D.B.A Spectrum Psychiatry