Notice of Privacy Practices
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
This notification outlines the utilization and disclosure of your medical information and the procedures for accessing it. Kindly review it carefully.
YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)
Every interaction with a healthcare provider results in the creation of a record detailing the encounter. This record may encompass information such as symptoms, examination outcomes, diagnoses, treatments, and future care plans. While your medical record is Nicholson Clinic’s physical property, you retain specific rights concerning the use and disclosure of your protected health information (PHI). Nicholson Clinic retains the right to use and disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, and routine healthcare operations, including but not limited to:
- Documenting and detailing your care for legal purposes
- Communicating with other healthcare providers involved in your care
- Educating healthcare professionals
- Conducting medical research
- Providing information for government and public health entities
- Enhancing and evaluating the care you receive
- Billing and verifying services provided
- Other routine healthcare operations
Protecting your privacy and securing your PHI are fundamental responsibilities of our practice. By law, we are mandated to uphold the privacy and confidentiality of your PHI, inform you of your rights concerning it, disclose these privacy practices before gaining consent for treatment, and notify you of any changes to this Notice of Privacy Practices.
If you suspect any privacy rights violation, you can file a complaint with Nicholson Clinic, and we will investigate and inform you of the findings. Additionally, you have the right to file a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
EXAMPLES OF PHI DISCLOSURES
- Healthcare Delivery and Treatment:
- Your PHI may be shared with other healthcare professionals involved in your care, including physicians, specialists, therapists, and hospital-based providers.
- Billing and Payment:
- Your PHI is used to justify the level of care provided and the charges incurred, accompanying bills sent to payers and third-party administrators.
- Other Healthcare Operations:
- Disclosure of your PHI to other entities necessary for daily operations, such as vendors, contractors, patient satisfaction surveys, billing and claims management, medical research, and legal counsel. All entities are obligated to protect your PHI’s confidentiality.
- Treatment:
- We may instruct a specialist to contact you for appointment scheduling or treatment-related information.
- Other Uses and Disclosures:
- Your PHI may be disclosed to concerned individuals like family members, relatives, caregivers, employers, and funeral directors. Additionally, it may be shared in communications and reports required by healthcare professionals, including public health departments, law enforcement, the FDA, organ procurement organizations, corrections institutions, and workers’ compensation where applicable.
Any other PHI disclosures not mandated by law will only occur with your written authorization. You have the right to revoke this authorization in writing, except to the extent Nicholson Clinic has already taken action based on your prior authorization.