HIPPA Policy
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: January 1st, 2024THIS 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.
Scope of Notice
This Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”) applies to all Protected Health Information about you (the patient) held or transmitted by Optimum Quality Behavioral Health (“we”, “our”, “us”). Protected Health Information includes any individually identifiable health information about your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, payment for healthcare services, or the provision of care to you.
Our Responsibilities
Your privacy is important to us. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of Protected Health Information, provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and 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.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Protected Health Information
The following categories describe the ways in which we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information without your written authorization. Not every use or disclosure within a category will be listed.
Treatment: We may use and disclose your Protected Health Information for your treatment, such as sharing information with a specialist to whom we refer you.
Payment: We may use and disclose your Protected Health Information to obtain reimbursement for treatment and services you receive. This includes billing, collections, claims management, and determining eligibility and coverage.
Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your Protected Health Information for our healthcare operations, including quality assessment, training programs, and licensing activities. We may also use it to notify you about our health-related products and services, recommend treatment options, or send appointment reminders.
Business Associates: We may disclose your Protected Health Information to service providers (“business associates”) that perform services on our behalf. Business associates are required to safeguard your Protected Health Information as required by law.
Health Information Exchanges: We may participate in Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) to electronically share your Protected Health Information with other providers for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Individuals Involved in Your Care: We may disclose your Protected Health Information to your family, friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care. If a legally authorized person has the authority to make healthcare decisions for you, we may disclose information to them as well.
Required by Law: We may disclose your Protected Health Information when required to do so by law, such as to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure compliance with federal privacy laws.
Public Health and Safety: We may disclose your Protected Health Information for public health activities, to prevent or control disease, and to report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Health Oversight Activities: We may disclose your Protected Health Information to health oversight agencies for audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure actions.
Legal and Law Enforcement Purposes: We may disclose your Protected Health Information in response to a court order, subpoena, or other legal process. We may also disclose information to law enforcement officials as permitted by law.
Serious Threat to Health or Safety: We may disclose your Protected Health Information to prevent a serious threat to the health and safety of an individual or the public.
Worker’s Compensation: We may disclose your Protected Health Information as authorized by and necessary to comply with worker’s compensation laws.
Other Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
In situations not described above, we will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing your Protected Health Information. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that we have already taken action based on the authorization. In situations not described above, we will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing your Protected Health Information. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that we have already taken action based on the authorization.
Your Protected Health Information Rights
Right to Access: You have the right to inspect and obtain copies of your Protected Health Information, including electronic records, with limited exceptions. Requests must be made in writing. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies.
Right to Request Amendment: If you believe your Protected Health Information is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment in writing. We may deny your request under certain circumstances.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request an accounting of certain disclosures of your Protected Health Information. Requests must be made in writing. If you request more than one accounting within a 12-month period, we may charge a reasonable fee.
Right to Request a Restriction: You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your Protected Health Information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to all requests, except where disclosure is to a health plan for a service you have paid for out-of-pocket in full.
Right to Request Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you by alternative means or at an alternative location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice: You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice upon request.
Changes to this Notice
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time. We will post any revised Notice prominently on our website and provide copies upon request.
Complaints or Requests for More Information
If you have questions about our privacy practices or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact us at:
Optimum Quality Behavioral Health Phone: 773-461-0977 Email: contactus@optimumqualitybehavioral.comYou also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
