The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) directs health care providers, payers, and other health care entities to develop a comprehensive regulatory structure, including comprehensive privacy standards to safeguard access to and disclosure of protected health information (PHI). Amicasa Hospice & Home Care always prioritizes and enact policies that protect the privacy of patient information, the federal government has enacted a new set of rules in association with HIPAA that formalizes the notification of privacy practices for all patients or clients served by the health system. We meet the Federal requirement Notice of Privacy Practices by this formal notification process.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE THAT DESCRIBES HOW YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION IS PROTECTED AND HOW IT MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED. IT ALSO TELLS YOU HOW MAY GAIN ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
Protected Health Information (PHI) is any information that identifies the past, present, or future physical or mental health of an individual and includes electronic, written, or verbal communications.
WHO WILL FOLLOW THIS NOTICE
This notice is followed by all Amicasa Hospice & Home Care staff and any independent and third party entity affiliated with Amicasa Hospice & Home Care. We are committed to protect your health information because we understand that your medical information is personal by:
Following the terms of the notice that are currently in effect.
Notifying you of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your PHI
Making sure that your PHI is kept private;
Pursuant to either patient authorization or applicable laws and regulations, your PHI can be disclosed to other parties for the following reasons;
For Treatment
We may disclose PHI about you to healthcare personnel at Amicasa Hospice & Home Care or an independent and third party entities who are involved in taking care of you
For Payment
To bill your insurance company, or a third party for services provided to you.
For Health Care Operations:
To review our treatment and services and to evaluate the performance of our staff in caring for you;
To disclose information to nurses, doctors, technicians, nursing staff and other personnel for review and learning purposes.
Appointment Reminders and Follow-up Calls
We may leave a message in an answering service or your answering machine.
Research
Under certain circumstances, we may use and/or disclose PHI about you for medical research purposes.
As Required By Law
Your PHI will be disclosed when required to do so by federal, state or local law.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety
To someone that may be able to help prevent threat to your or another person’s health, and safety.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Organ and Tissue Donation
Your PHI may be disclosed to organizations that handle organ procurement or organ, eye or tissue transplantation.
Military and Veterans
As required by military command authorities if you are a member.
Workers’ Compensation
Your PHI may be disclosed to workers’ compensation or similar programs.
Public Health Risks
Your PHI may be released for public health activities reasons.
Health Oversight Activities
Your PHI may be disclosed to a Government health agency for activities authorized by law. This may include; audits, investigations, inspections, licensure, or disciplinary actions.
Lawsuits and Disputes
We may disclose PHI about you in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process that involves you.
Law Enforcement
Your PHI may be disclosed if asked by a law enforcement official.
Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors
Your PHI may be released to a coroner or medical examiner as applicable by law.
National Security and Intelligence Activities
Your PHI may be disclosed to authorize federal officials for national security activities authorized by law.
Your Rights:
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to restrict the use and disclosure of your PHI. We are not required to agree to any restrictions you request, but if we do so, we will be bound by the restrictions to which we agree except in emergency situations.
Right to Inspect and Obtain a Copy
You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI that may be used to make decisions about your care.
Right to Amend
You may ask us to amend the information we have about you in writing if you feel it is incorrect.
We will provide you a written denial that explains the reason for the denial if your request is denied.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of the disclosures we made of your PHI except for treatment, payment or healthcare operations, releases made at your request, made to persons involved in your health care, made for national security or intelligence purposes, or disclosures made to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials.