Notice of Privacy: Policies and Practices

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MEDICAL RECORD/PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)
Each time you visit Linda M. Bugbee, MD & Associates a record of your visit is made. Typically, this record contains information about your visit including your examination, diagnosis, test results, treatment and any other pertinent healthcare data. This information may serve as:

A basis for planning your care and treatment
A means of communication with other health professionals involved in your care
A legal document outlining and describing the care you receive
A tool that you, or another payer (i.e. insurance company) will use to verify that services billed were actually provided
A source for medical research
A basis for public health officials who might use this information to assess and/or improve state as well as national healthcare standards
A tool that we can reference to ensure the highest quality of care and patient satisfaction.

Understanding what is in your record and how your health information is used helps you to ensure its accuracy, determine what entities have access to your PHI, and make an informed decision when authorizing the disclosure of this information to other individuals.

YOUR RIGHTS
You have certain rights under the federal privacy standards. These include:

The right to request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your PHI
The right to receive confidential communications concerning your medical condition and treatment
The right to inspect and copy your PHI unless it is determined that this would be detrimental to your health
The right to amend or submit corrections to your PHI
The right to receive an accounting of how and to whom your PHI has been disclosed
The right to receive a printed copy of this notice.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Linda M. Bugbee, MD & Associates is required to:

Maintain the privacy of your health information
Provide you with this notice as to our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we collect and maintain about you
Abide by the terms of this notice
Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction
Accommodate reasonable requests you may have regarding communication of PHI via alternative means and locations

As permitted by law, we reserve the right to amend or modify our privacy policies and practices. These changes in our policies and practices may be required by changes in federal and state laws and regulations. These revisions will be applied to all PHI that we maintain. We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this notice. We will also discontinue to use or disclose your health information after we have received a written revocation of the authorization according to procedures included in the authorization.

HOW WE MAY USE AND/OR DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

We will use your health information for treatment. Your health information may be disclosed to other health care professionals for the purpose of evaluating your health, diagnosing medical conditions, and providing treatment.
We will use your information for payment.
Communication with family. Unless you have specifically given permission to share information, we will only contact family members in the case of an emergency.
Healthcare Oversight. Federal law requires us to release your information to an appropriate health oversight agency, public health authority or attorney, or other federal/state appointee if there are circumstances that require us to do so.
Subpoenas. In some rare instances we may be required by law to submit PHI when our practice is served with a subpoena. In this instance, we will make every effort to contact you first, but are not required to have your authorization to turn over requested health information.
Appointment reminders. The practice may use your information to remind you about upcoming appointment.
Other uses and disclosures. Disclosure of your PHI or its use for any purpose other than those listed above requires your specific written authorization.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM
If you have complaints, questions, or need additional information, please see our Office Manager and she will be glad to address any concerns you may have. If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, please contact our Office Manager, or you may file a complaint directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint with either this practice, or with the Office for Civil Rights. The address for the Office for Civil Rights is listed below:

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C., 20201