We understand that your medical information is personal and we are commilled to protecting this information. We create a record of the equipment, services, and financial information about you. We use this record to provide you with quality equipment and services, and to comply with the certain legal requirements. This Notice applies to all of our records pertaining to your care. This Notice will tell you about the ways in which we may use and disclose your medical information. We also describe your rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of your medical information. Privacy laws require that we ensure the following:
• We must maintain the privacy of your medical and financial information;
• We must provide you with this Notice, which explains our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your protected health information; and,
• We must follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
The following categories describe different ways that we can use and disclose protected health information. We will define and give some examples for each category of uses or disclosures listed below. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.
For Payment - We may use and disclose your protected health information so that the equipment and services you receive may be billed to and payment may be collected from you, your insurance company or a third party. For example, we may need to give your insurance company information about a type of surgery you received at the hospital, so your insurance will pay us or reimburse you for the equipment you now require. We may also tell your health plan about the equipment you are going to receive to obtain prior approval or to determine whether your plan will cover that equipment.
For Health Care Operations - We may use your. protected health information to evaluate the performance of our employees who serve you. For example, we may combine Information about many of our patients to decide what additional services we should offer or what services are no longer necessary. We may also disclose information to doctors and other health care professionals that are also required by law to follow these privacy guidelines.
For Treatment - We may use your protected health information to provide you with medical equipment or services. For example, we may gather information from your health care provider, such as a physician, nurse, or other person providing health services to you, and maintain that information in your record. This information is necessary for health care providers to determine what treatment you should receive.
Health-related Benefits and Services We may contact you to tell you about health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care We may release your protected health information to a friend or family member who is involved in your medical care or who helps pay for your care.
As Required By Law We will disclose our protected health information when required to do so by federal, state, or local laws.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety We may use and disclose your protected health information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another individual. Any disclosure, however, would only be to someone able to help prevent that threat.
Public Health Risks We may disclose your protected health information for public health activities.
Health Oversight Activities We may disclose your protected health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.
Lawsuits and Disputes - If you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, we may disclose medical information about you in response to a court or administrative order. We may also disclose medical information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.
Law Enforcement - We may release your protected health information if asked to do so by law enforcement officials.
Nationai Security and Intelligence Activities We may release your protected health information to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law to include protection of the President, other authorized persons or foreign heads of state, or in conducting special investigations.
