Notice of Privacy Practices

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) establishes safeguards for your health information, including how health care providers may use it and when your permission is required before information may be disclosed.

Protected Health Information ("PHI") includes information about you, including demographic information, that may identify you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, condition, or related health care services.

We protect the privacy of identifiable health information related to the provision or payment of your care and are required to follow the privacy practices described in the notice currently in effect.

We may change the terms of this notice and our privacy practices. Changes may apply to health information we already maintain. An updated notice will be made available at our office and on our website, and you may request a paper or electronic copy of the notice in effect at any time.

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. We also have responsibilities to help you exercise those rights.

For certain health information, you can tell us your preferences about what we share. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions when applicable.

• You may tell us whether to share information with family, close friends, or others involved in your care.
• If you cannot communicate your preference, we may share information when we believe it is in your best interest.
• We may also share information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.

Federal and state law may permit or require us to use or disclose health information in additional circumstances, including:

• Public health and safety activities, such as preventing disease, reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, and reducing a serious threat to health or safety.
• Compliance with state or federal law and requests from the Department of Health and Human Services concerning compliance with federal privacy law.
• Working with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
• Workers' compensation claims, law enforcement purposes, legally authorized health oversight activities, and certain government functions.
• Responding to a court or administrative order or a subpoena.

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
• We will notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
• We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and provide you with a copy.
• We will not use or share your information other than as described in this notice unless you give us written permission. You may change your mind at any time by notifying us in writing.

We may change the terms of this notice, and those changes may apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our website.