Notice of Privacy Practices

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL/PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

We also provide this information to all patients during the initial intake meeting, before the first treatment.

Summary

By law, we are required to provide you with our Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP). This Notice describes how your medical information may be used and disclosed by us. It also tells you how you can obtain access to this information.

Your rights as a patient

As a patient, you have the following rights:

• The right to inspect and copy your information

• The right to request corrections to your information

• The right to request that your information be restricted

• The right to request confidential communications

• The right to a report of disclosures of your information

• The right to a paper copy of this Notice

We want to assure you that your medical and protected health information is secure with us. This Notice describes how we ensure that your information remains private.

How we may use and disclose your health information

We may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) for the following purposes without your specific authorization:

Treatment

We may use your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your hyperbaric oxygen therapy and related healthcare services. This includes sharing information with other providers involved in your care, such as your referring physician, specialists, or therapists.

Payment

We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for the services we provide, for example to bill your health insurance plan, Medicare, or other third-party payers.

Healthcare operations

We may use and disclose your PHI to support the business activities of our practice, including quality assessment, staff training, licensing, and general administrative activities.

Appointment reminders and follow-up

We may contact you to remind you of scheduled appointments, to follow up on your treatment, or to provide information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services.

As required by law

We may disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law, including for public health activities, reporting suspected abuse or neglect, responding to court orders or subpoenas, and for certain law enforcement purposes.

Uses and disclosures requiring your authorization

Other uses and disclosures of your PHI not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke your authorization at any time, in writing, except to the extent we have already acted in reliance on it.

Our responsibilities

• 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 must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this Notice and give you a copy of it

• We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing

Changes to this Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice. Any revised Notice will be effective for medical information we already have about you as well as information we receive in the future. A current copy will always be posted at our office and on this page.

How to file a complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Contact person

If you have any questions about this Notice, or if you would like to exercise any of the rights described above, please contact:

Lisa St. John
Phone: 408-356-7438