This Notice describes the privacy practices of US Rehabilitation & Health Services and the rights you have concerning your protected health information.
Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities.
Get a Copy of Your Health Information
You may ask to see or obtain an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we maintain about you.
We generally will provide a copy or summary of your health information within the time required by applicable law. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee when permitted by law.
Ask Us to Correct Your Health Information
You may ask us to correct health information about you that you believe is incorrect or incomplete.
We may deny your request in certain circumstances, but we will explain the reason for the denial as required by law.
Request Confidential Communications
You may ask us to contact you in a specific way, such as at a particular telephone number, or to send correspondence to a different address.
We will accommodate reasonable requests as required by law.
Ask Us to Limit What We Use or Share
You may ask us not to use or disclose certain health information for treatment, payment or our health care operations.
We are not required to agree to every request and may decline a request when it would affect your care or when otherwise permitted by law.
If you pay for a health care service or item completely out of pocket, you may ask us not to disclose information about that service or item to your health plan for payment or health care operations. We will honor the request unless a law requires us to disclose the information.
Get a List of Certain Disclosures
You may request an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information made during the six years before the date of your request.
The accounting generally does not include disclosures made for treatment, payment or health care operations and certain other disclosures excluded by law.
Get a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
Choose Someone to Act for You
If you have given someone medical power of attorney, or if someone is your legal guardian or otherwise has legal authority to act for you, that person may exercise your rights and make choices concerning your health information as permitted by law.
We may verify that the individual has appropriate authority before taking action.
Your Choices
For certain health information, you may tell us your preferences about what we share.
In situations where applicable, you may tell us your preference regarding matters such as:
- Sharing information with family members, friends or others involved in your care
- Sharing information in a disaster relief situation
- Certain communications about health-related services
- Certain fundraising communications
If you are unable to tell us your preference, such as when you are unconscious, we may share information when we believe it is in your best interest and the disclosure is permitted by law.
Marketing and Sale of Information
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your protected health information for purposes that require authorization under applicable law, including certain marketing activities or the sale of protected health information.
How We May Use and Share Your Information
HIPAA permits or requires us to use and disclose health information in a number of circumstances. Common examples are described below.
Treatment
We may use and share your health information to provide, coordinate or manage your treatment and to communicate with other health care professionals involved in your care.
For example, a physical therapist may share relevant treatment information with another health care professional involved in your rehabilitation.
Payment
We may use and share your health information to bill and obtain payment from health plans or other entities.
For example, we may provide information about your treatment to your health insurance plan so that the plan can determine coverage and process payment.
Health Care Operations
We may use and share your health information in connection with our health care operations.
These activities may include quality assessment, staff training, business management, licensing, auditing and activities designed to improve patient care and our services.
Other Uses and Disclosures
We may also use or disclose your health information when permitted or required by law for purposes that may include:
- Public health and safety activities
- Reporting suspected abuse, neglect or domestic violence when required or permitted by law
- Health oversight activities
- Workers' compensation matters
- Responding to certain legal proceedings, subpoenas or court orders
- Law enforcement purposes when permitted or required by law
- Certain activities involving coroners, medical examiners or funeral directors
- Organ and tissue donation when applicable
- Research when applicable legal requirements have been satisfied
- Preventing or reducing a serious threat to health or safety
- Certain government functions permitted by law
Substance Use Disorder Records
Certain records concerning substance use disorder treatment may receive additional protections under federal law.
When US Rehabilitation & Health Services creates, receives or maintains records subject to these additional requirements, we will use and disclose those records in accordance with applicable federal law and any other applicable privacy protections.
Our Responsibilities
- We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- We will notify you as required by law 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 the Notice currently in effect.
- We will provide you with a copy of this Notice upon request.
- We will not use or disclose your information for purposes requiring authorization unless you provide written authorization or another legal basis permits the use or disclosure.
If you provide written authorization, you may revoke that authorization in writing as permitted by law.
Changes to This Notice
We may change the terms of this Notice, and changes may apply to health information we already maintain as well as information we receive in the future.
When this Notice is materially revised, the current Notice will be made available upon request, at our facilities as required, and on our website.
Complaints and Questions
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with US Rehabilitation & Health Services.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a privacy complaint.
Privacy Questions or Complaints
US Rehabilitation & Health Services
Privacy Official: To Be Designated
Telephone: (844) 369-9955
Please contact US Rehabilitation & Health Services if you would like a paper copy of this Notice or have questions concerning our privacy practices.