OUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

We are required by law to give you this notice. It provides you information on how we may use and disclose protected health information about you and describes your rights and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of that information. We shall maintain the privacy of protected health information and provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your protected health information.

We have the right to change these policies at any time. If we change our privacy policies, we will notify you of these changes immediately. This current policy is in effect unless stated otherwise. If the policy is changed, it will apply to all your current and past health information.

You may request a copy of our notice at any time. You may contact Emet Drip Co at 20046 Betz Dr, Winnetka, CA 91306, Phone: (818) 683-2511, Email: emetdripco@gmail.com, at any time to request a copy of this privacy policy.

HOW WE MAY USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

The following examples describe ways that we may use your protected health information for your treatment, payments, healthcare operations, etc., but please be advised that not every use or disclosure in a particular category will be listed.

Treatment:

We may use and disclose your protected health information to provide you treatment. This includes disclosing your protected health information to other medical providers, trainees, therapists, medical staff, and office staff that are involved in your health care.

For example, your medical provider might need to consult with another provider to coordinate your care. Also, the office staff may need to use and disclose your protected health information to other individuals outside of our office, such as the pharmacy, when a prescription is called in.

Payment:

Your protected health information may also be used to obtain payment from an insurance company or another third party. This may include providing an insurance company your protected health information for a pre-authorization for a medication we prescribed.

Health Care Operations:

We may use or disclose your protected health information in order to operate this medical practice. These activities include training students, reviewing cases with employees, utilizing your information to improve the quality of care, and contacting you by telephone, email, or text to remind you of your appointments.

If we have to share your protected health information to third party “business associates,” such as a billing service, we will have a written contract that contains terms that will protect the privacy of your protected health information.

OTHER PERMITTED AND REQUIRED USES AND DISCLOSURES

In addition to the treatment, payment, and health care operations purposes described above, we may use or disclose your protected health information, without your written authorization, for the following purposes to the extent permitted by law:

• As required by law, including in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process.
• For public health activities, such as reporting disease, injury, vital events, or adverse reactions, and for public health oversight activities.
• To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence to a government authority authorized to receive such reports.
• For health oversight activities, such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure actions.
• For judicial and administrative proceedings, in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process.
• For law enforcement purposes, such as reporting certain types of wounds or in response to a valid legal request.
• To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.
• For research purposes, in limited circumstances where privacy protections are in place or where required approvals have been obtained.
• To avert a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.
• For specialized government functions, such as military and veterans activities, national security, and protective services, where applicable.
• For workers’ compensation purposes, to the extent authorized by and necessary to comply with workers’ compensation laws.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

You have the following rights regarding the protected health information we maintain about you. To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to Emet Drip Co at the address, phone number, or email listed above.

Right to Access and Obtain a Copy

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the protected health information we maintain about you in a designated record set, with limited exceptions. We will respond to your written request within the time required by law, typically within 30 days. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. If we deny your request, we will provide you a written explanation and, where applicable, information about how to have the denial reviewed.

Right to Request Amendment

You have the right to request that we amend your protected health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. Your request must be in writing and must explain the reason for the requested amendment. We may deny your request under certain circumstances, such as if we did not create the information or if we determine the information is accurate and complete; if we deny your request, we will provide you a written explanation.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures we have made of your protected health information, generally for the six years prior to your request. This accounting will not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, or health care operations, disclosures made to you, or certain other disclosures excluded by law. The first accounting in a 12-month period is free; we may charge a reasonable fee for additional requests within that period.

Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request a restriction on how we use or disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations, or to family members and others involved in your care. We are not required to agree to a requested restriction, except that we must agree to a restriction on disclosure to a health plan for payment or health care operations purposes if the disclosure relates solely to a service you paid for in full out of pocket.

Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by an alternative means or at an alternative location, such as contacting you only at a specific phone number or address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

COMPLAINTS

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Emet Drip Co using the contact information listed above, or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Complaints to Emet Drip Co may be submitted in writing to 20046 Betz Dr, Winnetka, CA 91306, or by email to emetdripco@gmail.com. Complaints to the Office for Civil Rights may be submitted through its website at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

BREACH NOTIFICATION

If a breach of unsecured protected health information occurs that affects your privacy, we will notify you as required by applicable law, including the timeframe, method, and content requirements for such notification, and will take appropriate steps to mitigate any harm resulting from the breach.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This notice is effective as of the date it is provided to you and remains in effect until replaced.