Privacy Policy

Updated July 17, 2019

The below policy is represented in the consent documents that are a part of the enrollment process. Please read closely as you will be asked to sign off on these as a condition of engagement.

TLDR: With some exceptions, you are entitled to have your information kept private.

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.

My commitment to your privacy

As part of providing professional care to you, we will do all we can to maintain the privacy of what is called your “protected health information” (PHI). We are also required by law to keep your PHI private. These laws are complicated, and we must give you this important information. If you have any questions about our practices, please feel free to bring these questions to session to discuss in person.

How we use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) with your consent

We will use the information we collect about you mainly to provide you with treatment; to arrange payment for our services; and for some other business activities called, in the law, “health care operations.” I will ask you to sign a separate consent form to show that you understand these ways we handle your information. If you do not agree and won’t sign this consent form, I cannot provide treatment to you. If I want to use or send, share, or release your PHI for other purposes, I will discuss this with you so you fully understand it, and ask you to sign a release-of-information form to allow this.

Disclosing your health information without your consent

There are some times when the laws require us to share your information without getting your consent. Here are the most common situations:

  • When there is a serious threat to your or another person’s health or safety or to the public. We will only share information with people who are able to help prevent or reduce the danger.

  • When we are required to do so by lawsuits and other legal or court proceedings.

  • When a law enforcement official requires us to do so.

  • For workers’ compensation and some similar programs if you seek these benefits.

Your rights about your health information

You can ask me to communicate with you in a particular way or at a certain place that is more private for you. For example, you can ask me to call you at home, rather than at work, to schedule or cancel an appointment. I will try my best to do as you ask.

You can ask me to limit what I tell people involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as family members and friends.

You have the right to look at the health information we have about you, such as your medical chart, case file, and billing records. You can get a copy of these records, and we can charge you for it. Please talk to me in session to arrange how to see your records.

If you believe that the information in our records is incorrect or missing something important, you can ask us to make additions to your records to correct the situation. You have to make this request in writing and send it to our compliance officer.

You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You can file a complaint with our compliance officer and with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints must be in writing. Filing a complaint will not change the health care we provide to you in any way.

You have the right to a copy of this notice. Also, you may have other rights that are granted to you by the laws of our state, and these may be the same as or different from the rights described above. I will be happy to discuss these situations or answer any questions now or as they arise.

I am acting as the compliance officer. Please feel free to contact me at (210) 588-0298.