Privacy Notice

HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

THIS 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.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEALTH RECORD

A record is made each time you are treated at The Therapy Network. Your injuries, evaluation and test results, diagnosis, treatment, and plan of care are recorded. This information is often referred to as your “health or medical record,” and it serves as a basis for planning your care and treatment. It also serves as a means of communication among any and all other health professionals who may contribute to your care. Understanding what information is retained in your record and how that information may be used and shared will help you ensure its accuracy and enable you to understand who, what, when, where, and why others may be allowed access to your health information. The Therapy Network uses health information about you as described in this Notice. Your health information is contained in a medical record that is the property of The Therapy Network.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

		The Therapy Network is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with notice of our legal commitment and privacy practices with respect to the information we collect and maintain about you. The Therapy Network is required to abide by the terms of this notice, as currently in effect, and to notify you if we are unable to grant your requested restrictions or reasonable desires to communicate your health information by alternative means or to alternative locations.		
	

REVISIONS

The Therapy Network reserves the right to change its practices and this Notice and effect the new provisions with respect to all health information that it maintains (including information that The Therapy Network had prior to the implementation of the new provision). If we update this Notice, we will provide the revised Notice to you at your next appointment and post a copy of it on our website: www.thetherapynetwork.com. Other than for reasons described in this notice, The Therapy Network agrees not to use or disclose your health information without your authorization.

		The Therapy Network is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with notice of our legal commitment and privacy practices with respect to the information we collect and maintain about you. The Therapy Network is required to abide by the terms of this notice, as currently in effect, and to notify you if we are unable to grant your requested restrictions or reasonable desires to communicate your health information by alternative means or to alternative locations.		
	

USE OR DISCLOSURE OF YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION WITHOUT YOUR AUTHORIZATION

		The Therapy Network may use and disclose your health information without your authorization in order to provide “Treatment,” obtain “Payment,” and perform our “Health Care Operations,” as well as other specific reasons as detailed below:		
	

		Treatment – We may use and disclose health information about you to provide you with products and services or related medical treatments or services. To this end, we may communicate with other healthcare providers regarding your treatment and coordinate and manage your healthcare with others. For example, information related to your treatment may be shared with a healthcare provider, such as your physician, pharmacist, nurse, or other person providing health services to you. This information is necessary for healthcare providers to determine what treatment you should receive. Healthcare providers also may record actions taken by them in the course of your treatment and note how you responded to the actions. We may also use your medical information to give you information about treatment options or other health-related benefits and services that may interest you.
Payment – We may use and disclose health information about you to others for purposes of receiving payment for treatment and services that you received. For example, information regarding treatment you have received may be sent to you or someone who pays on your behalf (such as a family member or an insurance company) in order for The Therapy Network to receive payment. The information used in this fashion may include details regarding your services that identify you and could identify your diagnosis or treatment. Although it is unlikely, if other treatment providers need medical information about your treatment in order to bill for their services, we may provide it to them. We will comply with your request not to disclose your medical information to your insurance company if the information relates solely to a healthcare item or service for which you have paid out of pocket and in full to us.
Health Care Operations – We may use and disclose health information about you for administrative and operational purposes. Risk management or quality improvement personnel may use health information about you to assess the care and outcomes in your case and others like it. The results will be used internally to continually improve the quality of care for all patients. For example, we may combine medical information about many patients to evaluate the need for new products, services, or treatments. We may disclose information to healthcare professionals, students, and other personnel for review and training. We also may combine the health information we have with other sources to see where we can make improvements. We may remove information that identifies you from this set of health information to protect your privacy and to allow others to use the information to study healthcare without learning the identity of the specific patients. We may also use and disclose your medical information to:Evaluate the performance of our staff and your satisfaction with our services;
Learn how to improve our facilities and services;
Determine how to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the healthcare we provide; and
Conduct training programs or review the competence of healthcare personnel.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care – We may release health information about you to a family member, guardian, or friend who is involved in your medical care. We also may give information about you to someone who helps pay for your care. If you have any objection to sharing your medical information in this way, please contact the Privacy Officer.
You or Your Personal Representative – We may disclose your medical information to you or a representative appointed by you or designated by applicable law.
Disaster Relief – We may disclose health information about you to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort so that your family can be notified about your condition, status, and location. We may also disclose medical information to local authorities or utility companies if your home care is considered “life-supporting.”
Business Associates – We may share your medical information with outside companies that perform services for us, such as call handling or file storage. These vendors, called “Business Associates,” are required to safeguard your information by HIPAA and contract.
Participation in Health Information Exchanges – We may electronically share your medical information through health information exchanges (HIEs) for treatment, payment, and operations. Depending on state law, you may have to opt-in or may be given the opportunity to opt-out.
Reminders – We may use health information about you to provide you with reminders about appointments.
Alternative Treatments and Health Benefits – We may provide information about alternative treatments or other health-related benefits and services.
Future Communications – We may send newsletters, mailings, or other information regarding treatment options, health programs, or community initiatives.
Required by Law – We may use and disclose health information as required by law.
Public Health – We may use or disclose health information to assist public health authorities or legal authorities in preventing or controlling disease, reporting deaths, or product-related issues.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – We may notify the FDA of adverse events, product issues, or other information that helps with safety and recalls.
Health and Safety – We may use or disclose information to avert serious threats to health or safety.
Protective Services for the President and Others – Your medical information may be disclosed to federal officials to provide protection to leaders or conduct investigations.
National Security and Intelligence Activities – Disclosure may occur to authorized federal officials for national security purposes.
Military and Veterans – If you are in the armed forces, your medical data may be released as required by military authorities.
Medical Examiners and Others – We may disclose information to medical examiners, coroners, or funeral directors.
Organ and Tissue Donation – If you are a donor, we may disclose relevant information to organizations handling donation and transplantation.
Inmates – If you are in custody, your information may be shared with correctional institutions or law enforcement.
Workers Compensation – We may use or disclose information as needed to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
Research – We may share information for research if an appropriate review board approves the process and privacy safeguards are in place.
Information Not Personally Identifiable – We may use or disclose data that doesn’t reveal your identity.
Law Enforcement – Your information may be disclosed to law enforcement officials as permitted or required by law.
Health Oversight Activities – We may disclose your information to agencies that ensure compliance with government programs and regulations.
Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence – If we believe you are a victim, we may disclose your health information to the appropriate legal authority.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings – We may share your health information in legal proceedings in response to a subpoena, order, or other lawful process.
		
	

USE OR DISCLOSURE OF YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION WITH YOUR AUTHORIZATION

Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will be made only with the individual’s written authorization. You may revoke (take back) an authorization you had previously provided by giving us written notice. In that case, we will cease using or disclosing your information for the purpose you had authorized. However, we are unable to retract or invalidate any uses or disclosures made with your permission before you revoked your authorization. The following are some examples of uses or disclosures that require your authorization:

		Psychotherapy Notes – We do not typically maintain psychotherapy notes on any of our patients. However, if we wanted to use or disclose any psychotherapy notes we had in our possession (for instance, as part of your medical record), we would have to ask for your authorization to do so, unless the use or disclosure was to undertake certain treatment, payment, or health care operation activities as described above.
Other Sensitive Information – In addition, other types of information may have greater protection under federal or state law, such as certain drug and alcohol information, HIV/AIDS and other communicable disease information, genetic information, mental health information, or information about developmental disabilities. We do not generally maintain this type of information. But, if we do, we may be required to get your written permission before disclosing it to others, and we may seek that permission if permitted by law.
Marketing – We must obtain your authorization before we use or disclose your health information for marketing purposes unless that marketing relates to certain treatments you are already undergoing (or available alternatives), the marketing is conducted face-to-face, or the marketing involves a promotional gift of nominal value. If we receive any payment for the use of your information for marketing purposes, we will tell you so in the authorization that we ask you to sign.
Sale of Health Information – The Therapy Network will not sell your health information. However, if we change this policy in the future, we will be required to seek your authorization before selling any of your health information.
		
	

YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS

You have the following rights with respect to health information about you. To exercise any of your rights, please see the contact information at the end of this notice.

		Right to Inspect and Copy – You have the right to inspect and/or obtain a copy of the health information about you that we maintain in certain groups of records that are used to make decisions about your care. You have the right to an electronic copy of your health information if it is maintained electronically. Your request must be in writing. If you request a copy of your health information, we may charge you a fee to cover the costs of copying and mailing the information. If you request a copy electronically on a portable media device (such as a CD or USB drive), we may charge for the cost of that device. In certain limited circumstances, we may deny your request. If denied, we will explain our reasons in writing and provide the right to request a review of the decision.
Right to Amend – If you believe that health information about you maintained in our records is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment. The request must be in writing and include a reason. We may deny your request in certain cases. If denied, we will explain our reasons in writing. You may submit a written statement of disagreement, which will be included with future disclosures of the disputed information.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures – You may request a detailed listing (accounting) of certain disclosures of your health information. This does not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, disclosures made to you or with your authorization, or other exempt disclosures. The accounting period is limited to six years. Your request must be in writing. A fee may apply if you request more than one accounting within a 12-month period.
General Right to Request Restriction – You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information. The request must be in writing and include: (1) the information to be limited, (2) whether to limit use, disclosure, or both, and (3) to whom the limits apply. We are not required to agree to all requested restrictions, but will comply if we do.
Right to Restrict Disclosure to a Health Plan – You have the right to request that we not disclose health information to a health plan if the information relates solely to an item or service that you (or someone else) paid for in full out-of-pocket. This request must be made in writing and we must comply.
Right to Request Alternative Communications – You may request that we contact you in a specific way or at a specific location. The request must be in writing and must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. We will honor all reasonable requests and will not ask for the reason.
Right to Revoke Authorization – If you have previously authorized the use or disclosure of your health information, you may revoke that authorization at any time in writing, except where we have already acted in reliance on it.
Right to be Notified of a Breach – If your health information is lost, stolen, or accessed inappropriately, you have the right to be notified to the extent required by law. Notification will be provided in writing unless you have requested electronic communication.
Right to Copy of Notice of Privacy Practices – You may request a paper copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically. Contact our Privacy Officer or visit our website (www.TheTherapyNetwork.com) to obtain a copy.
		
	

QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS

For additional information about this Notice or if you have a question, you may contact our Privacy Officer at (757) 962-1618. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to complain to The Therapy Network and the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. To submit a complaint to the Department of Health and Human Services, you may contact the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 509F, Washington, D.C. 20201. Some states may allow you to file a complaint with the state’s Attorney General, Office of Consumer Affairs, or other state agency as specified by applicable state law. You may make a complaint with The Therapy Network via the contact information at the end of this notice. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions, wish to obtain copies of your health information, amend, request an accounting, or exercise any other rights identified in this notice, or would like to file or discuss a complaint regarding our privacy practices, please contact The Therapy Network’s Privacy Officer by telephone at (757) 962-1618, by fax at (757) 481-6175, or by email at MedicalRec@thetherapynetwork.com.

Notice of Privacy Practices Availability: This notice will be posted where registration occurs. All individuals receiving care will be provided a hard copy upon request and asked to acknowledge receipt.

Book an Appointment

Book a Session