HIPAA Privacy Policy
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act & Notice of Privacy Practices
This notice describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information, to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information. We must follow the privacy practices described in this Notice while it is in effect. This Notice takes effect September 1, 2013 and remains in effect until we replace it.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law, and to make new Notice provisions effective for all protected health information that we maintain. When we make a significant change, we will change this Notice and post the new Notice clearly and prominently at our practice location, and provide copies upon request.
You may request a copy of our Notice at any time. For more information about our privacy practices, or for additional copies, please contact us using the information at the end of this Notice.
How we may use and disclose health information about you
We may use and disclose your health information for different purposes, including treatment, payment, and health care operations. Some information such as HIV-related information, genetic information, alcohol and/or substance abuse records, and mental health records may be entitled to special confidentiality protections under applicable state or federal law, and we will abide by those protections.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your health information for your treatment. For example, we may disclose your health information to a specialist providing treatment to you.
Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to obtain reimbursement for treatment and services. Payment activities include billing, collections, claims management, and determinations of eligibility and coverage. For example, we may send claims to your dental health plan containing certain health information.
Healthcare operations
We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operations, such as quality assessment and improvement activities, training programs, and licensing activities.
Individuals involved in your care or payment for your care
We may disclose your health information to your family, friends, or any other individual you identify when they are involved in your care or its payment. If a person has legal authority to make health care decisions for you, we will treat that representative as we would treat you with respect to your health information.
Other permitted uses and disclosures
We may use or disclose your health information for disaster relief efforts; when required by law; for public health activities; to report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence; for national security and to military authorities in certain circumstances; to correctional institutions or law enforcement with lawful custody; to the Secretary of HHS to investigate HIPAA compliance; for workers’ compensation; for law enforcement purposes as permitted by law; for health oversight activities such as audits and investigations; for judicial and administrative proceedings in response to a court order or subpoena; for approved research; to coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors; and for fundraising communications (from which you may opt out).
Public health activities may include disclosures to:
- Prevent or control disease, injury, or disability;
- Report child abuse or neglect;
- Report reactions to medications or problems with products or devices;
- Notify a person of a recall, repair, or replacement of products or devices;
- Notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or condition; or
- Notify the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Uses and disclosures that require your authorization
Your authorization is required, with a few exceptions, for disclosure of psychotherapy notes, use or disclosure of PHI for marketing, and the sale of PHI. We will also obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes other than those provided for in this Notice (or as otherwise permitted or required by law). You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time; upon receipt we will stop using or disclosing your PHI except to the extent we have already relied on the authorization.
Your health information rights
Access
You have the right to look at or get copies of your health information, with limited exceptions. You must make the request in writing. If you request information we maintain electronically, you have the right to an electronic copy. We will charge a reasonable cost-based fee for supplies, labor of copying, and postage. If you are denied access, you have the right to have the denial reviewed in accordance with applicable law.
Disclosure accounting
With the exception of certain disclosures, you have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your health information. Submit your request in writing to the Privacy Official. If you request this accounting more than once in a 12-month period, we may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for the additional requests.
Right to request a restriction
You have the right to request additional restrictions on our use or disclosure of your PHI by submitting a written request to the Privacy Official stating (1) what information you want to limit, (2) whether you want to limit use, disclosure, or both, and (3) to whom the limits apply. We are not required to agree, except where the disclosure is to a health plan for payment or health care operations and the information pertains solely to an item or service you have paid for in full.
Alternative communication
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations. Make your request in writing, specifying the alternative means or location and how payment will be handled. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
Amendment
You have the right to request that we amend your health information. Your request must be in writing and explain why the information should be amended. We may deny your request under certain circumstances and will provide a written explanation and describe your rights.
Right to notification of a breach
You will receive notifications of breaches of your unsecured protected health information as required by law.
Electronic notice
You may receive a paper copy of this Notice upon request, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically on our website or by email.
Questions and complaints
If you want more information about our privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please contact us. If you believe we may have violated your privacy rights or disagree with a decision we made about access to your health information, you may complain to us using the contact information below. You may also submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate in any way if you choose to file a complaint.
Our Privacy Official
William A. Burn, III, DMD, MAGDTelephone: 803-781-2439
Fax: 803-781-2601
P.O. Box 2117, Irmo, SC 29063-7117
Email: wburniii@aol.com