Privacy & Policies
Your rights, our obligations, and how we protect your information.
I. Our Pledge Regarding Your Health Information
We understand that health information about you is personal. We are committed to protecting health information about you. BHP will create a record of the care and services you receive from us. We need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all records of your care generated by this mental health care practice.
BHP and its providers are required by law to: (1) make sure that protected health information ("PHI") that identifies you is kept private; (2) give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices; and (3) follow the terms of the notice currently in effect. BHP can change the terms of this Notice, and such changes will apply to all information BHP has about you. The new Notice will be available upon request and on our website.
II. How BHP May Use and Disclose Health Information About You
For Treatment, Payment, or Health Care Operations: Federal privacy rules allow health care providers who have a direct treatment relationship with the patient/client to use or disclose the patient's personal health information without written authorization, to carry out the health care provider's own treatment, payment or health care operations. For example, if a clinician consults with another licensed health care provider about your condition, we would be permitted to use and disclose your personal health information to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of your mental health condition.
Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit, BHP may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena or other lawful process, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain a court order protecting the information requested.
III. Certain Uses and Disclosures Require Your Authorization
Psychotherapy Notes. Any use or disclosure of psychotherapy notes (as defined in 45 CFR § 164.501) requires your Authorization except for specific purposes including: BHP's use in treating you; training or supervising mental health practitioners; defending BHP in legal proceedings you initiate; Secretary of HHS investigations; requirements of law; health oversight activities; coroner duties authorized by law; or averting a serious threat to health and safety.
Marketing Purposes. As a behavioral health collaborative practice, we will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes.
Sale of PHI. We will not sell your PHI in the regular course of business.
IV. Certain Uses and Disclosures Do Not Require Your Authorization
Subject to certain limitations in the law, BHP can use and disclose your PHI without your Authorization for the following reasons:
When disclosure is required by state or federal law, and complies with the requirements of such law.
For public health activities, including reporting suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse, or preventing a serious threat to health or safety.
For health oversight activities, including audits and investigations.
For judicial and administrative proceedings, including responding to a court or administrative order.
For law enforcement purposes, including reporting crimes occurring on our premises.
To coroners or medical examiners performing duties authorized by law.
For research purposes, including studying and comparing mental health treatments.
Specialized government functions, including ensuring proper execution of military missions, protecting the President, or intelligence operations.
For workers' compensation purposes to comply with workers' compensation laws.
Appointment reminders and health-related benefits or services.
V. Disclosures That Require You to Have the Opportunity to Object
Disclosures to family, friends, or others. BHP may provide your PHI to a family member, friend, or another person involved in your care or the payment for your health care unless you object in whole or in part.
VI. Your Rights With Respect to Your PHI
The Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures. You have the right to ask BHP not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations purposes. BHP is not required to agree to your request.
The Right to Request Restrictions for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Paid in Full. You have the right to request restrictions on disclosures of your PHI to health plans for payment or operations purposes if the PHI pertains solely to a health care item you paid for out-of-pocket in full.
The Right to Choose How BHP Sends PHI to You. You have the right to ask BHP to contact you in a specific way or to send mail to a different address, and BHP will agree to all reasonable requests.
The Right to See and Get Copies of Your PHI. Other than psychotherapy notes, you have the right to get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other information BHP has about you within 30 days of your written request. A reasonable, cost-based fee may be charged.
The Right to Get a List of Disclosures. You have the right to request a list of instances in which BHP has disclosed your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or operations. BHP will respond within 60 days. The list covers disclosures made in the last six years.
The Right to Correct or Update Your PHI. If you believe there is a mistake in your PHI or that important information is missing, you have the right to request a correction. BHP may say "no" but will tell you why in writing within 60 days.
The Right to Get a Paper or Electronic Copy of this Notice. You have the right to get a paper copy of this Notice at any time, and to get a copy via email.
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), you have certain rights regarding the use and disclosure of your protected health information. By signing your intake paperwork, you acknowledge that you have received a copy of this HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.