Privacy Policy

Last updated September 13, 2023

HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO YOUR INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER IT, PLEASE ASK YOUR THERAPIST. PROTECTING YOUR INFORMATION AND CREATING A SAFE PLACE IS IMPORTANT TO US.

IT IS OUR LEGAL DUTY TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI). By law, we are required to ensure that your PHI is kept private and provide you with this Notice about our privacy procedures and explain when, why, and how we might use and/or disclose your PHI. PHI contains data about your health or condition, the health care services offered to you, or the payment for care. Use of PHI means when we share, utilize, or review information within our practice; disclosure is when we release, transfer, or otherwise reveal it outside our practice - such as another therapist or insurance. With few exceptions, we may not use or disclose more of your PHI than is necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the use or disclosure is made. We are legally required to follow the privacy practices described in this Notice.

HOW I WILL USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PHI.

Uses and Disclosures Require Your Prior Written Authorization. Other than the situation described below, we will request your written authorization before using or disclosing any of your PHI. Even if you have signed an authorization to disclose your PHI, you may later revoke, in writing, any authorization to disclose your PHI stopping future use and disclosure by us.

Disclosures Which Do Not Require Your Consent:

a) To avoid harm to you and others. If we believe you are a danger to yourself or you tell us of a serious/imminent threat of physical violence by you against another person(s), we may be compelled to report.

b) If we have a reasonable suspicion of child abuse and/or neglect; elder or dependent adult abuse and/or neglect, we are required by law to report. (Texas Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting & Texas Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting law).

c) If disclosure is compelled by a court of law pursuant to subpoena. (e.g., a judge issued subpoena).

d) As required by federal, state, or local law; judicial, board, or administrative proceedings; or, law enforcement.

e) Appointment reminders (you have the option to opt-out)

We may use and disclose your PHI without your consent for the following reasons:

a) Consultation: At times we may discuss our therapeutic work with other licensed mental health practitioners in order to guide and better aid in treatment. These individuals are under the same legal obligations regarding HIPAA and confidentiality. We focus on treatment and limit the amount of PHI that we share to the absolute minimum needed to consult.

b) Payment: To obtain payment for treatment and services we provided you. Example: to submit a claim for reimbursement to your insurance company or health plan.

c) Care Coordination. We may disclose your PHI to physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other licensed health care providers who provide you with health care services or are otherwise involved in your care. You will fill out a release of information form in order for us to communicate back and forth with other providers.

d) Emergency Situations. Your consent isn't required if you need emergency treatment provided that we attempt to get your consent after treatment is rendered. In the event that we try to get your consent but you are unable to communicate with us (for example, if you are unconscious or in severe pain) but think that you would consent to such treatment.

e) After Death. We may disclose deceased individuals' PHI to family members and/or non-family members who were involved in the care or payment for healthcare of the decedent prior to death; however, this disclosure is limited to PHI relevant to such care or payment and cannot be inconsistent with any prior expressed preference of the deceased individual.

We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice and our privacy policies at any time as permitted by law. Any changes will apply to PHI already on file with us. Before we make any important changes to our policies, we will immediately change this Notice and post a new copy of it in my office and on our website (if applicable). You may also request a copy of this Notice from us, or you can view a copy of it in our office or on our website, which is located at https://www.hellocalmtherapy.squarespace.com