THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Diverse Community Healthcare is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your health information. This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information ("PHI"), your rights regarding that information, and our legal responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At Diverse Community Healthcare, we understand that your health information is personal. We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.
- Notify affected individuals if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of their protected health information.
Protected health information includes information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, healthcare services provided to you, or payment for healthcare services.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
The following categories describe the different ways we may use and disclose your health information without your written authorization.
1. Treatment
We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare.
Examples include:
- Diagnosing and treating medical conditions.
- Sharing information with physicians, specialists, laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals, imaging centers, or other healthcare providers involved in your care.
- Coordinating telehealth services.
- Reviewing test results and treatment plans.
2. Payment
We may use and disclose your information to obtain payment for healthcare services provided to you.
Examples include:
- Submitting claims to insurance companies.
- Verifying insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Obtaining prior authorizations.
- Billing patients for services.
- Collecting outstanding balances.
3. Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose health information for activities necessary to operate our practice.
Examples include:
- Quality improvement activities.
- Staff training and education.
- Performance evaluations.
- Risk management.
- Accreditation and licensing reviews.
- Compliance monitoring.
- Business planning and administration.
4. Appointment Reminders
We may contact you regarding:
- Upcoming appointments.
- Follow-up visits.
- Preventive screenings.
- Recommended treatment plans.
Communication may occur through:
- Telephone calls
- Text messages
- Patient portal notifications
- Postal mail
5. Treatment Alternatives and Health-Related Services
We may contact you regarding:
- Treatment alternatives
- Health-related benefits
- Wellness programs
- Preventive care recommendations
- Chronic disease management programs
6. Individuals Involved in Your Care
Unless you object, we may disclose relevant health information to family members, caregivers, or other individuals involved in your care or payment for your care.
7. Public Health Activities
We may disclose health information when required by law for public health purposes, including:
- Reporting communicable diseases.
- Reporting adverse reactions to medications.
- Reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when required by law.
- Reporting certain injuries.
8. Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose information to government agencies authorized to oversee healthcare systems, including:
- Licensing boards
- Medicare and Medicaid oversight agencies
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Other regulatory authorities
9. Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
We may disclose information in response to:
when legally permitted or required.
- Court orders
- Subpoenas
- Discovery requests
- Administrative proceedings
10. Law Enforcement
We may disclose information to law enforcement officials under circumstances permitted or required by law.
11. Serious Threat to Health or Safety
We may disclose information when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to the health or safety of an individual or the public.
12. Workers' Compensation
We may disclose information as authorized by workers' compensation laws and similar programs.
13. Business Associates
We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf and are legally required to safeguard your information.
Examples may include:
- Electronic health record providers
- Patient portal providers
- Telehealth service providers
- Billing companies
- Information technology providers
These entities are required by law and contract to protect your information.
eClinicalWorks Patient Portal and Telehealth
Diverse Community Healthcare utilizes eClinicalWorks (eCW) technology to support patient communications, scheduling, telehealth services, secure messaging, and access to portions of your medical record.
Information submitted through the patient portal or telehealth platform is protected in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy laws.
Patients should take reasonable precautions to protect their own account credentials and devices used to access portal services.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
Certain uses and disclosures require your written authorization.
These generally include:
- Most uses of psychotherapy notes.
- Most marketing communications.
- Certain disclosures involving the sale of protected health information.
You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent action has already been taken in reliance upon it.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights regarding your protected health information.
Right to Access
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records and billing records, subject to certain legal exceptions.
Right to Request Amendments
If you believe information in your medical record is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request a correction.
We may deny certain requests as permitted by law.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your information.
While we are not required to agree to every request, we will consider each request carefully.
Right to Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you using alternative methods or at alternative locations.
For example:
- Calling a different phone number
- Mailing information to a different address
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your protected health information made by our practice.
Right to Receive a Paper Copy
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
Right to File a Complaint
You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Complaints may be submitted to:
Diverse Community Healthcare
21693 FM 1314 Rd, Suite 400
Porter, Texas 77365
Email: info@diversecommunityhc.com
Phone: (281) 354-2417
You may also file a complaint with:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
https://www.hhs.gov/ocr
Our Responsibilities
Diverse Community Healthcare is required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of protected health information.
- Provide this Notice.
- Abide by the terms of this Notice.
- Notify affected individuals of certain breaches involving unsecured protected health information.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to modify this Notice at any time.
Any revised Notice will apply to all protected health information maintained by the practice and will be made available:
- On our website
- At our office location
- Upon request
The revised version will include an updated effective date.
Contact Information
If you have questions regarding this Notice or your privacy rights, please contact:
Diverse Community Healthcare
21693 FM 1314 Rd, Suite 400
Porter, Texas 77365
Phone: (281) 354-2417
Email: info@diversecommunityhc.com
Acknowledgment
Patients may be asked to acknowledge receipt of this Notice of Privacy Practices in accordance with applicable federal requirements.