NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULY
THE PRIVACY OF YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT TO US.
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations and for other purposes that are permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights to access and control your protected health information. “Protected health information” is information about you, including demographic information, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information. We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information. We are required to abide by the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices. We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
We may change the terms on our notice, at any time. The new notice will be effective for all protected health information that we maintain at that time, as well as for any information we receive in the future. Upon your request, we will provide you with any revised Notice of Privacy Practices. You may request a revised version by accessing our website, or calling the office and requesting that a revised copy be sent to you in the mail or asking for one at the time of your next appointment.
USES AND DISCLOSURES OF HEALTH INFORMATION
We use and disclose protected health information about you for treatment, payment and healthcare operations. For example:
Treatment: We may use or disclose your health information to a physician or other healthcare provider providing treatment to you, or to family and friends you approve.
Payment: We may use or disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we provide to you.
Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operations. Healthcare operations include quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competence or qualifications of healthcare professionals, evaluating practitioner and provider performance, conducting training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.
Your Authorization and Limitations: In addition to our use of your health information for treatment, payment or healthcare operations, you may give us written authorization to use your health information or to disclose it to anyone for any purpose. You also have the right to request restrictions on disclosure of Personal Health Information, or alternative means of communication (e.g. home or business phone) to ensure privacy. We are not required to agree to all requests, and we may say “no” if it is not reasonable or would affect your care. If you pay for a service or item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment on our operations with your insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.
Marketing Health-Related Services: We will not use your health information for marketing communications or sell your health information without your written authorization.
Required by Law: We may use or disclose your health information when we are required to do so by law or national security activities.
Abuse or Neglect: We may disclose your health information to appropriate authorities when we suspect abuse or neglect.
Appointment Reminders: We may use or disclose your health information to provide you with appointment reminders (such as voicemail messages, email, texts, postcards, or letters). Additional text and data fees may apply. If you are not okay with any of these forms of communication, please let us know.
PATIENT RIGHTS
Access: You have the right to look at or get electronic or paper copies of your health information with limited exceptions. If you request copies, we will charge you a reasonable fee to locate and copy your information, and postage if you want the copies mailed to you.
Amendment: You have the right to request that we amend your health information. We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing.
Accounting: You can request a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with and why. We will included all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Representative: If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS
If you want more information about our privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please contact us.
If you are concerned that we may have violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision we made about access to your health information or in response to a request you made to amend or restrict the use or disclosure of your health information or to have us communicate with you by alternative means or at alternative locations, you may submit a complaint to us using the contact information listed at the end of this Notice. You may also submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will provide you with the address to file your complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services upon request.
We support your right to the privacy of your protected health information. You will not be penalized in any way if you choose to file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Patient Rights Information and Complains:
Just Smile Dental
11802 Evergreen Way, Suite 104
Everett, WA 98204