At Best Therapies, Inc., protecting the confidentiality of our clients is a high priority, and your health information is considered confidential. There are only a few scenarios in which your information may be disclosed without your permission. These scenarios are discussed below, in the newest version of the Notice of Privacy Practices, effective September 23, 2013. Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions that you may have about your rights and our responsibilities regarding the security and privacy of your health information.

Please note that the following information is the standard-issue notice of privacy practices. Best Therapies, Inc. differs in a few ways:

We will never sell your health information.

We will not list your information in a hospital directory.

We will never use your personal information in marketing materials.

We will ask for your written permission to discuss identifiable information with other health professionals (except in the case of an emergency where your therapist is concerned about your safety or the safety of others).

We will not use any identifying information (names, addresses, phone numbers, or any other information that might make your identity easily known) for research purposes.

This practice is not involved in the procurement or donation of organs or tissue.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Information and Portability Act of 1996)

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.

Please review it carefully.

Additional notes about items that do not pertain to this practice under normal circumstances are included in parentheses.

YOUR RIGHTS

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.

Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record

You can ask to see or get a copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.

(This practice does not use electronic medical records, but we can provide you with a copy of your paper record.)

We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

Ask us to correct your medical record

You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.

We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing 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 say “yes” to all reasonable requests.

Ask us to limit what we use or share

You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.

If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for payment or operations with your health insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.

Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information

You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.

We will include all disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make).

We’ll provide one free accounting a year but may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for additional requests within 12 months.

Get a copy of this privacy notice

You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide it promptly.

Choose someone to act for you

If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.

We will ensure the person has the authority to act for you before we take any action.

File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated

You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information listed above.

You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

YOUR CHOICES

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have clear preferences, talk to us, and we will follow your instructions.

In these cases, you have the right to tell us to:

Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care.

Share information in a disaster relief situation.

Include your information in a hospital directory. (This practice does not create or utilize a hospital directory.)

If you cannot tell us your preference (e.g., unconscious), we may share your information if we believe it is in your best interest or to lessen a serious threat to health or safety.

In these cases, we never share your information unless you give us written permission:

Marketing purposes. (This practice will not use your information in marketing materials.)

Sale of your information. (This practice will never sell your information.)

Most sharing of psychotherapy notes.

Fundraising:

We may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again. (This practice does not currently engage in fundraising.)

OUR USES AND DISCLOSURES

How do we typically use or share your health information?

We use or share your information in the following ways:

Treat you

We can use your information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.

Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health condition. (This practice will request your permission before sharing your information with other health professionals.)

Run our organization

We can use your information to manage your treatment and improve services.

Example: We use health information to coordinate your care.

Bill for your services

We can share your information to bill and receive payment from health plans or other payers.

Example: We give health insurance plans information so they can process claims.

How else can we use or share your health information?

We are allowed or required to share your information in ways contributing to the public good, but must meet legal conditions. For more information, visit:

HIPAA Guidance for Consumers

This includes:

Public health and safety: Preventing disease, reporting abuse/neglect, or addressing serious health threats.

Research: Using data for health studies.

Compliance with the law: Sharing information as required by federal/state law.

Workers’ compensation claims: Reporting for law enforcement or government functions.

Lawsuits/legal actions: Responding to subpoenas or court orders.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

We are required by law to protect the privacy of your health information.

We will notify you promptly if a data breach compromises your information.

We will only use your information as described in this notice unless you provide written permission.

You may revoke consent at any time by notifying us in writing.

For more information, visit:

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

We may update this notice, and changes will apply to all information we have about you. The updated notice will be available upon request, on our website, and by mail upon request.

Effective Date: September 23, 2013.