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NOTICE
OF HOME CARE PRIVACY PRACTICES
This notice describes how medical information
about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this
information. Please review it carefully.
USE AND DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH INFORMATION
Seniors & Company (the Agency) will use and disclose elements of your protected health information (PHI) as defined in
the Privacy Rule of the Administrative Simplification provisions of the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, for purposes of
providing you treatment, obtaining payment for your care and conducting
health care operations.
The following is a summary of the circumstances
under which and purposes for which your health information may be used and
disclosed:
- Treatment (i.e., coordinating care with your
physician, disclosing information to family members.)
- Payment (i.e., health insurance provider may require
health care information to reimburse the agency.)
- Health care operations (i.e., quality assessment and
improvement activities, accreditation, certification, licensing or
credentialing activities.)
- When release is required by law, including in
judicial settings and to health oversight regulatory agencies and law
enforcement.
- In emergency situations or to avert serious
health/safety situations.
- To medical examiners, coroners or funeral directors
to aid in identifying you or to help them in performing their duties.
- To organ, tissue and other donations organization,
upon or proximate to your death, if we have no indication on hand about your
donation preferences.
- In the event of a serious threat to health or safety.
AUTHORIZATION TO USE OR DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION
Other than is stated above, the Agency will not disclose
your health information other than with your written authorization. If you or your representative authorizes
the Agency to use or disclose your health information, you may revoke that
authorization in writing at any time.
For your
protection Seniors & Company will request a security password for third
parties, including family members, to inquire about your medical condition.
YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the right to be notified of our duties to protect
the privacy of your medical information and any revision to our privacy
policies. You may request restriction
on the use or disclosure of your medical information, have the right to
review your own medical information, may amend the medical information as to
factual issues, and may receive a copy of the list of disclosures we have made
for purposes other than payment, treatment or when it has been used for our
own operations. You have the right to
receive confidential communication, the right to an accounting, and the right
to receive a paper copy of this notice.
If you believe that your rights to privacy have been violated you may
submit your complaint in writing to Nurses & Company or to the office of
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The law forbids us from taking retaliatory
action against you if you complain.
OUR DUTIES
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your
PHI. We must abide by the terms of
this notice or any update of this notice.
PRIVACY CONTACT
For more information about our privacy practices or to
report a privacy rights violation, please contact:
Director of Operations or Quality Improvement Designee
(636) 926-3722
115 Piper Hill Drive
St. Peters, Missouri,
63376
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Notice is effective April
14, 2003.
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