HIPAA Policy

This HIPAA Policy describes our policies and procedures on the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as it relates to Protected Health Information (PHI).

1. Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI)

1. Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations Addiction Recovery Center may use and disclose PHI for the purposes of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without obtaining the individual’s authorization.

1. Disclosure for Medical Emergencies If a client requires hospitalization due to illness, Addiction Recovery Center may disclose relevant PHI to healthcare providers involved in the client’s care to ensure proper treatment.
2. Threat to Self or Others If a person poses a potential threat to themselves or others, Addiction Recovery Center may disclose necessary PHI to the appropriate authorities or individuals who can mitigate the threat, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

2. Individual’s Rights and Exercising Those Rights

1. Right to Access PHI Individuals have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of their PHI maintained by Addiction Recovery Center, with certain limited exceptions.
2. Right to Request Amendments Individuals have the right to request corrections or amendments to their PHI if they believe it is inaccurate or incomplete. Requests must meet specific criteria outlined by applicable regulations.
3. Right to Request Restrictions Individuals may request restrictions on the use or disclosure of their PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. Addiction Recovery Center will consider such requests, except where prohibited by law.
4. Right to Request Confidential Communications Individuals may request that PHI communications be sent to a specific address (email or mailing address), and Addiction Recovery Center will accommodate reasonable requests.
5. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures Individuals may obtain an accounting of certain disclosures of their PHI made by Addiction Recovery Center, excluding those related to treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, as defined by applicable regulations.
6. Right to a Notice of Privacy Practices Individuals are entitled to receive a Notice of Privacy Practices that explains their rights and how Addiction Recovery Center uses and discloses PHI.

3. Legal Duties of the Covered Entity

1. Compliance with HIPAA Regulations Addiction Recovery Center is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of PHI in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable laws.
2. Safeguards to Protect PHI Addiction Recovery Center will employ administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI.
3. Breach Notification In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, Addiction Recovery Center will mitigate the breach and comply with the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule.
4. Notice of Privacy Practices Addiction Recovery Center will maintain and provide individuals with a Notice of Privacy Practices outlining their rights, legal duties, and privacy practices.

4. Contact Information for Privacy Policies

If you have questions about this HIPAA Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, you may contact the Privacy Officer at Addiction Recovery Center:
Phone: +1 (866) 502-4344

5. Our Responsibilities

1. Privacy and Security of PHI We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI).
2. Breach Notification If a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information, we will notify you promptly.
3. Notice of Privacy Practices We must follow the privacy practices described in this notice and provide you with a copy of it.
4. Information Sharing and Consent We will not use or share your information other than as described in this policy unless you provide consent in writing.
5. Prohibition on Sharing Mobile Information No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

For more information, visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.

6. Changes to the Terms of This Notice

• We may change the terms of this notice at any time.
• If any material changes are made, we will notify you via email or by posting a notice on our website.
• Changes will apply to all information we have about you, including information collected before the changes were made.

Effective Date: December 1, 2024

7. Our Uses and Disclosures

How We Typically Use or Share Your Health Information

1. To Help Treat You We can use your health information and share it with other professionals treating you.
   • Example: A doctor treating you asks another doctor about your overall health.
2. Run Our Organization We can use and share your health information to manage operations, improve care, and contact you if necessary.
   • Example: We use health information to manage your treatment and services.
3. Bill for Your Services We can use and share your health information to bill and receive payment from health plans or other entities.
   • Example: We give your health information to your health insurer so they can pay for your services.

Other Ways We May Share Your Health Information

1. Public Health and Safety To help prevent disease, assist with product recalls, report adverse reactions, and report suspected abuse or neglect.
2. Research We may use or share your information for health research.
3. Comply with the Law We may disclose PHI if required by law, such as complying with court orders or subpoenas.
4. Address Workers’ Compensation, Law Enforcement, and Other Government Requests To process workers’ compensation claims, support law enforcement requests, and comply with national security and presidential protection services.
5. Respond to Legal Requests We may disclose your health information in response to legal actions, such as court orders, subpoenas, or investigations.

8. Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records

The confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records is protected by federal law and regulations. Information identifying a patient as an alcohol or drug abuser will not be disclosed except in the following cases:

• Written Consent: When the patient provides written consent.
• Legal Compliance: When disclosure is required by law (e.g., a court order).
• Medical Emergency: When disclosure is necessary for medical treatment in an emergency.
• Research and Evaluation: When disclosure is made to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluation.

For more information, refer to 42 U.S.C. 290dd-2.

9. Your Choices

You have certain rights regarding the sharing of your health information.

1. Control How We Share You can request limits on how we share health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
   • If you pay for a service or item out-of-pocket in full, you may request that we do not share that information with your health insurer.
2. Request Confidential Communications You can request that we contact you through specific methods (like email or a specific address), and we will accommodate reasonable requests.
3. Access and Copy Your Health Information You may request an electronic or paper copy of your health information. We will provide a copy within 30 days of your request.
4. Request Corrections You can request corrections to your health information if you believe it is incorrect.
5. File a Complaint If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or contact us directly.
   • We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

For more details, visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.

10. Medical Disclaimer

• The information on this website is for informational purposes only.
• It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Always seek advice from your physician or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition.

If you need additional clarification or revisions to the format, feel free to let me know.