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.
Chehalis Children's Clinic, P.S. respects your privacy. We understand that
your personal health information is very sensitive. We will not disclose
your information to others unless you tell us to do so, or unless the law
authorizes or requires us to do so.
The law protects the privacy of the health information we create and obtain
in providing our care and services to you. For example, your protected health
information includes your symptoms, test results, diagnosis, treatment,
health information from other providers, and billing and payment information
relating to these services. Federal and state law allows us to use and disclose
your protected health information for purposes of treatment and health care
operations. State law requires us to get your authorization to disclose
this information for payment purposes.
Examples of Use and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
for Treatment, Payment and Health Operations.
For treatment:
Information obtained by a nurse, physician, or other member of our health
care team will be recorded in your medical record and used to help decide
what care may be right for you.
We may also provide information to others providing you care. This will
help them stay informed about your care.
For payment:
We request payment for your health insurance plan. Health plans need information
from us about your medical care. Information provided to health plans may
include your diagnosis, procedures performed or recommended care.
For health care operations:
We use your medical records to assess quality and improve services.
We may use and disclose medical records to review the qualifications and
performance of your health care providers and to train our staff.
We may contact you to remind you about appointments and give you information
about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services.
We may contact you to raise funds.
We may use and disclose your information to conduct or arrange for services,
including:
- medical quality review by your health plan;
- accounting, legal, risk management, and insurances services;
- audit functions, including fraud and abuse detection and compliance programs.
We may use and disclose your protected health information
without your authorization as follows:
With Medical Researchers - if the research has been approved and has policies
to protect the privacy of your health information. We may also share information
with medical researches preparing to conduct a research project.
To Funeral Directors/Coroners consistent with applicable law to allow them
to carry out their duties. To Organ Procurement Organizations (tissue donation
and transplant) or persons who obtain, store, or transplant organs.
To the food and Drug Administration (FDA) relating to problems with food,
supplements, and products.
To comply with Workers' Compensation Laws- if you make a workers' compensation
claim.
For Public Health and Safety Purposes as Allowed or Required by Law:
To prevent or reduce serious, immediate threat to the health or safety of
person or public, to public health or legal authorities
To protect public health and safety to prevent or control disease, injury,
or disability
To report vital statistics such as births or deaths.
To report suspect abuse of neglect to public authorities.
To Correctional Institutions if you are in jail or prison, as necessary
for your health and the health and safety of others.
For Law Enforcement Purposes such as when we receive a subpoena, court order,
or other legal process, or you are the victim of a crime.
For health and safety Oversight Activities. For example, we may share health
information with the Department of Health.
For Disaster Relief Purposes. For example, we may share health information
with disaster relief agencies to assess health risks on a job site.
To the Military Authorities of the U.S. and Foreign Military Personnel.
For example the law may require us to provide information necessary to military
mission.
In the Course of Judicial/Administrative Proceedings at your request, or
a directed by a subpoena or court order.
For Specialized government Function. For example, we may information for
national security purposes.
Your Health Information Rights
The Health and billing records we create and store are the property of Chehalis
Children's Clinic, P.S. The Protected health information in it, however,
generally belongs to you. You have a right to:
Receive, read and ask questions about this Notice;
Ask us to restrict certain uses and disclosures. You must deliver this request
in writing to us. We are not required to grant the request. But we will
comply with any request granted;
Request and receive from us a paper copy of the most current Notice of Privacy
Practices for Protected Health Information ("Notice")
Request that you be allowed to see and get a copy of your protected health
information. You may make this request in writing. We have a form available
for this type of request;
Have us review a denial of access to your health information-except in certain
circumstances;
Ask us to change your health information. You may give us this request in
writing. You may write a statement of disagreement if your request is denied.
It will be stored in your medical record, and included with any release
of your records;
When you request, we will give you a list of disclosures of your health
information. The list will not include disclosures to a third-party payer.
You may receive this information without charge once every 12 months. We
will notify you of the cost involved if you request this information more
than once in 12 months;
Ask that your health information be given to you by another means or at
another location. Please sign, date and give us your request in writing.
Cancel prior authorization to use or disclose health information by giving
us a written revocation. Your revocation does not affect information that
has already been released. Id also does not affect any action taken before
we have it. Sometimes, you cannot cancel and authorization if it's purpose
was to obtain insurance.
For help with these rights during normal business hours, please contact:
The Privacy Officer
Chehalis Children's Clinic, P.S.
Chehalis, WA. 98532
360-748-6693
Our Responsibilities
We are required to:
Keep your protected information private;
Give you this Notice;
Follow the terms of the Notice;
We have the right to change our practices regarding the protected health
information we maintain. If we make changes we will update this Notice.
You may receive the most recent copy of this Notice by calling and asking
for it or by visiting out office to pick one up.
To ask for Help or Complain
If you have questions, want mor information, or want to report a problem
about the handling of your protected health information, you may contact:
The Privacy Officer
Chehalis Children's Clinic, P.S.
370 S. Market Blvd.
Chehalis, WA. 98532
360-748-6693
If your believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may discuss
your concerns with any staff member. You may also deliver a written complaint
to The Privacy Officer at our practice. You may also file a complaint with
the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. If you complain, we will
not retaliate against you.
Other Disclosures and Uses of Protected Health Information
Notification of Family and Others
Unless you object, we may release health information about you to a friend
or family member who is involved in your medical care. We may also give
information to someone who helps pay for your care. We may tell your family
or friends your condition and that you are in the hospital. In addition,
we may disclose health information about your to assist in disaster relief
efforts.
You have the right to object to this use of disclosure of your information.
If you object, we will not use or disclose.
Other Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
Uses and disclosures not in this Notice will be made only allowed or required
by law or with your written authorization.
Effective Date: April 14, 2003