Privacy Notice
It is our desire to communicate to you new Federal laws (HIPAA-Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) written to protect the confidentiality of your health information. We do not ever want you to delay treatment because you are afraid your personal health history might be unnecessarily made available to others outside our office.
The most significant variable that has motivated the Federal government to legally enforce the importance of the privacy of health information is the rapid evolution of computer technology and its use in healthcare. The government has appropriately sought to standardize and protect the privacy of the electronic exchange of your health information. This has challenged us to review not only how your health information is used within our computers but also with the Internet, phone, faxes, copy machines, and charts. In accordance, we have developed policies and procedures which make sure your health information will not be shared with anyone who does not require it.
Your health information will be used only for the purposes of providing your treatment, obtaining payment and conducting health care operations.
Public Health, National Security, Abuse or Neglect: We may be required to disclose to Federal Officials or Military authorities health information necessary to complete an investigation related to public health or national security. Health information could be important when the government believes that the public safety could benefit when the information could lead to the control or prevention of an epidemic or the understanding of new side effects of a drug treatment or medical device. We will notify government authorities if we believe a patient is the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will make this disclosure only when we are compelled by our ethical judgement, when we believe we are specifically required or authorized by law or with the patient's agreement.
For Law Enforcement: As permitted or required by State or Federal Law, we may disclose your health information to a law enforcement official for certain law enforcement purposes, including, under certain limited circumstances, if you are a victim of a crime or in order to report a crime.
Family, Friends, Caregivers: We may share your health information with those you tell us will be helping you with your home hygiene, treatment, medications, or payment. In the case of an emergency, where you are unable to tell us what you want we will use our very best judgment when sharing your health information only when it will be important to those participating in providing your care.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Medical Research: We may be required by law to provide health information to coroners, funeral directors, and medical examiners. Formal review and study of health histories as a part of a research study will happen only under the ethical guidance, requirements, and approval of an Institutional Review Board.
Authorization to Use or Disclose Health Information: Other than is stated above, or where Federal, State or Local law requires, we will not disclose your health information other than with your written authorization. You may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. Our office will make every effort to honor reasonable restriction preferences from our patients.
Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a certain way. You may request that we only communicate your health information privately with no other family members present or through mailed communications that are sealed. We will make every effort to honor your reasonable requests for confidential communications.
Inspect and Copy your Health Information: You have the right to read, review, and copy your health information, including your chart and billing records. If you would like a copy of your health information, please let us know. We may need to charge you a reasonable fee to duplicate and assemble your copy.
Documentation and Amendment of your Health Information: You have the right to ask us for a description of how and where your health information was used by our office for any other reason than for treatment, payment or health care operations. Our documentation procedures will enable us to provide information on health information usage from April 14,2003 and forward. Let us know in writing the time period for which you are interested. We may need to charge you a reasonable fee for your request. You have the right to ask us to update or modify your records if you believe your health information records are incomplete. We will accommodate you as long as our office maintains this information. Please provide us with your request in writing and describe your reason for the change.
Request a Paper Copy of this Notice: You have the right to obtain a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices directly from our office at any time. Stop by and we will mail a copy to you. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information, and to practice the policies and procedures described in this notice, but we do reserve the right to change the terms of our Notice. You have the right to express complaints to us or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been compromised.
Please let us know of your concerns or complaints in writing to: Melanie Stroschein, RN, 12665 Garden Grove Blvd.,Ste # 401, Garden Grove, CA 92843.
The most significant variable that has motivated the Federal government to legally enforce the importance of the privacy of health information is the rapid evolution of computer technology and its use in healthcare. The government has appropriately sought to standardize and protect the privacy of the electronic exchange of your health information. This has challenged us to review not only how your health information is used within our computers but also with the Internet, phone, faxes, copy machines, and charts. In accordance, we have developed policies and procedures which make sure your health information will not be shared with anyone who does not require it.
Your health information will be used only for the purposes of providing your treatment, obtaining payment and conducting health care operations.
- To Provide Treatment: We will use your Health Information within our office to provide you with the best health care possible. This may include administrative and clinical office procedures to schedule and coordinate care between physician, technician, nurse, and business office staff. In addition, we may share your Health Information with referring physicians, clinical and pathology laboratories, pharmacies or other health care personnel providing your treatment.
- To Obtain Payment: We may include your Health Information with an invoice used to collect payment for treatment you receive in our office or surgery center. We may do this with insurance forms filed for you in the mail or sent electronically. We will be sure to only work with companies with similar commitment to the security of your health information.
- To Conduct Health Care Operations: Your Health Information may be used during performance evaluations of our staff. It is also possible that health information will be disclosed during audits by insurance companies or government appointed agencies as part of the quality assurance and compliance reviews. Your Health Information may be reviewed during the routine processes of certification, licensing or credentialing activities.
- Patient Reminders: Because we believe regular care is very important to your health, we will remind you of a scheduled appointment or that it is time for you to contact us and make an appointment. Additionally, we may contact you to follow up on your care and inform you of treatment options or services for you or your family. These communications may include postcards, letters, and telephone reminders (unless you tell us that you do not want to receive these reminders).
Public Health, National Security, Abuse or Neglect: We may be required to disclose to Federal Officials or Military authorities health information necessary to complete an investigation related to public health or national security. Health information could be important when the government believes that the public safety could benefit when the information could lead to the control or prevention of an epidemic or the understanding of new side effects of a drug treatment or medical device. We will notify government authorities if we believe a patient is the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will make this disclosure only when we are compelled by our ethical judgement, when we believe we are specifically required or authorized by law or with the patient's agreement.
For Law Enforcement: As permitted or required by State or Federal Law, we may disclose your health information to a law enforcement official for certain law enforcement purposes, including, under certain limited circumstances, if you are a victim of a crime or in order to report a crime.
Family, Friends, Caregivers: We may share your health information with those you tell us will be helping you with your home hygiene, treatment, medications, or payment. In the case of an emergency, where you are unable to tell us what you want we will use our very best judgment when sharing your health information only when it will be important to those participating in providing your care.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Medical Research: We may be required by law to provide health information to coroners, funeral directors, and medical examiners. Formal review and study of health histories as a part of a research study will happen only under the ethical guidance, requirements, and approval of an Institutional Review Board.
Authorization to Use or Disclose Health Information: Other than is stated above, or where Federal, State or Local law requires, we will not disclose your health information other than with your written authorization. You may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. Our office will make every effort to honor reasonable restriction preferences from our patients.
Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a certain way. You may request that we only communicate your health information privately with no other family members present or through mailed communications that are sealed. We will make every effort to honor your reasonable requests for confidential communications.
Inspect and Copy your Health Information: You have the right to read, review, and copy your health information, including your chart and billing records. If you would like a copy of your health information, please let us know. We may need to charge you a reasonable fee to duplicate and assemble your copy.
Documentation and Amendment of your Health Information: You have the right to ask us for a description of how and where your health information was used by our office for any other reason than for treatment, payment or health care operations. Our documentation procedures will enable us to provide information on health information usage from April 14,2003 and forward. Let us know in writing the time period for which you are interested. We may need to charge you a reasonable fee for your request. You have the right to ask us to update or modify your records if you believe your health information records are incomplete. We will accommodate you as long as our office maintains this information. Please provide us with your request in writing and describe your reason for the change.
Request a Paper Copy of this Notice: You have the right to obtain a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices directly from our office at any time. Stop by and we will mail a copy to you. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information, and to practice the policies and procedures described in this notice, but we do reserve the right to change the terms of our Notice. You have the right to express complaints to us or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been compromised.
Please let us know of your concerns or complaints in writing to: Melanie Stroschein, RN, 12665 Garden Grove Blvd.,Ste # 401, Garden Grove, CA 92843.