HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996

CLINTON PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER
NOTICE OF PATIENT INFORMATION PRACTICES

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

CLINTON PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER'S LEGAL DUTY

Clinton Physical Therapy Center is required by law to protect the privacy of your personal health information, provide this notice about our information practices and follow the information practices that are described herein.

USES AND DISCLOSURES OF HEALTH INFORMATION

Clinton Physical Therapy Center uses your personal health information primarily for treatment; obtaining payment for treatment; conducting internal administrative activities and evaluating the quality of care that we provide. For example, Clinton Physical Therapy Center may use your personal health information for the following purposes:

· We will use your health information for treatment For example: Information obtained will be recorded in your records and use to determine the course of treatment that should work best for you. We will also provide your referring physician or appropriate health care provider with copies of reports/summaries that should assist him or her in assessing your plan of care.

· We will use your health information for payment For example: A bill may b sent to you or a third party payer. The information on or accompanying the bill may include information that identifies you, as well as your diagnosis, procedures and supplies used.

· We will use your health information for regular health operations For example: Members of our organization may use information in your health record to assess the care and outcomes in your case and other like it. This information will then be used in an effort to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the healthcare and services we provide.

OTHER FORMS OF DISCLOSURES

· Business Associates: There are some services provided in our organization that utilize outside agencies. These include medical supply companies and other forms of business associates that provide us a service. To protect your health information we require each of our business associates to sign a contract with our organization stating they will safeguard your information.

· Notification: We may use or disclose information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representatives or another person responsible for your care, location and general condition.

· Communication with Family: We may disclose to a family member, other relative, close personal friend or any other person you identify health information relevant to that person's involvement in your care or payment related to your care.

· Marketing: We may contact you to provide appointment reminders, or information about treatment alternatives or other health related benefits that could be of interest to you.

· Federal and State Agencies: As required by law we may disclose health information to public health or legal authorities charge with preventing or controlling diseases, injury or disability.

· Law Enforcement: As required by law we may disclose health information for law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to valid subpoena.

In any other situation, Clinton Physical Therapy Center 's policy is to obtain your written authorization before disclosing your personal health information. If you provide us with a written authorization to release your information for any reason, you may later revoke that authorization to stop future disclosures at any time.

Clinton Physical Therapy Center may change its policy at any time. When changes are made, a new Notice of Information Practices will be posted in the waiting room and/or patient exam areas, on our website, and will be provided to you on your next visit. You may also request an updated copy of our Notice of Information Practices at any time.

PATIENT'S INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

You have the right to review or obtain a copy of your personal health information at any time. You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information in your records. You also have the right to request a list of instances where we have disclosed your personal health information for reasons other than treatment, payment or other related administrative purposes.

You may also request in writing that we not use or disclose your personal health information for treatment, payment and administrative purposes except when specifically authorized by you, when required by law or in emergency circumstances. Clinton Physical Therapy Center will consider all such requests on a case by case basis, but the practice is not legally required to accept them.

CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS

If you are concerned that Clinton Physical Therapy Center may have violated your privacy rights or if you disagree with any decisions we have made regarding access or disclosure of your personal health information, please contact our practice manager at the address listed below. You may also send a written complaint to the US Department of Health and Human Services. For further information on Clinton Physical Therapy Center's health information practices or if you have a complaint, please contact the following person:

Joyce S. Klee, PT, Privacy Officer