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PRIVACY NOTICE

 

This notice describes how CMH Services of St. Joseph County

may use and disclose personal and medical information about you that

we have collected.

It also explains how you can get access to this information.

PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY

This Privacy Notice is effective April 14, 2003


PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

In order to provide services to you, we need to collect private information from you.  The private information that we collect from you is known as Protected Health Information under the HIPAA regulations.

“Protected Health Information” (referred to as “private information” in the remainder of this Notice) is:

·         Information about you that may identify you and

·         relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health condition, and

·         health care services related to your health or condition.

 

ROUTINE DISCLOSURES:                

[WAYS THAT WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION]

The following section of this Notice explains the ways in which we may routinely use and disclose your private information.

“Use and disclose” will be referred to as “share” in the remainder of this Notice.

There are times that we will need to share your private information with other people and/or entities.  We may do so in instances necessary for:

            (1) treatment,

            (2) payment,

            (3) and healthcare operations

 

Treatment   We may share private information about you in the course of treatment.  For instance, we may share your private information with another provider to coordinate your services.  Examples   of the private information that we may have to share with regard to your treatment include:

·         Your diagnosis (the condition for which you are receiving treatment).

·         Your treatment plan and goals.

·         Your progress toward those goals.

 

Payment   We may share private information about you so the services that you receive can be billed and paid for correctly.  Examples of the private information that we may have to share with regard to payment for treatment include:

·         Your name, address, telephone number, and date of birth.

·         Your insurance information (including medication authorizations).        

·         Your diagnosis (the condition for which you are receiving treatment).

·         The date(s) that you received treatment.

 

Healthcare Operations  We may share private information about you in  order to carry out our business operations. Examples when we may have to share your private information with regard to our daily business operations include:

·         Reviewing the quality of services that you are receiving.

·         Maintaining your clinical record.

·         Reminding you of a scheduled appointment.

·         Fulfilling a contract/licensure requirement.

 

 

DISCLOSURES WHICH REQUIRE AN AUTHORIZATION:      

[OTHER WAYS THAT WE MAY SHARE  YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION]  

The following section of this Notice explains the ways in which we may share your private information with your prior authorization.

There are times that we will need to share additional private information with other people and/or entities.  We will then ask you to sign an authorization allowing us to do so.  We may do so in instances necessary for:

·         Coordination with another agency (such as a School, Nursing Home, or Family Independence Agency).

·         Communication with an individual involved in your care (such as a family member or a friend).

·         Collaboration with another professional (such as your Primary Medical Doctor).

 

MANDATORY DISCLOSURES:    

[OTHER WAYS THAT WE MAY SHARE  YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION]  

The following section of this Notice explains the ways in which we may share your private information as required by law.

We may share private information about you when we are required by law to do so.  We may do so for the following reasons:

·         Law Enforcement Purposes (such as subpoenas or court orders).

·         Public Health Risks (such as communicable diseases).

·         To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety (such as harm to yourself or someone else, suspected abuse of children or adults).

·         Other emergencies (such as disaster relief or security threats).

 

YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

You have the following rights regarding the private information that we have about you.  Your requests must be made in writing to the Privacy Officer.  We may charge you a fee to copy information from your record.

Right to Inspect and Copy  In most cases you have the right to look at and receive a copy of information in your record.

Right to Amend  If you think that any of the information that we have about you is incorrect, you have the right to request a change.  If your request is denied we will notify you in writing why your request was denied.

Right to Disclosure List  You have the right to request a list of disclosures made (by us) after April 14, 2003.  This list will not include the private information that we shared for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.  The list will also not include information provided directly to you or your family, or information that was shared with your written permission.       

Right to Request Restrictions  You have the right to ask for limits on how we share your private information.  We are not     required to agree with your request.

Right to Request Confidential  Communications  You have the right to request that we share information with you in a specific way or a specific place.  For example, you can request that we call you at your work instead of at your home. 

 

QUESTIONS

If you have a question regarding this privacy notice or a request regarding your privacy rights, you may contact: 

Privacy Officer                                             

CMH Services of St. Joseph County                                            

210 S. Main Street                                     

Three Rivers, MI 49093                                

Phone: 269-273-5000                                              

Email: privacyofficer@stjoecmh.org

 

COMPLAINTS

If you feel that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us at: 

Privacy Officer                                             

CMH Services of St. Joseph County                 

210 S. Main Street                                     

Three Rivers, MI 49093                                

Phone: 269-273-5000                                             

Email: privacyofficer@stjoecmh.org

 

You may also file a complaint with the Federal Government at:

Secretary of Health and Human Services        

200 Independence Avenue, SW                  

Washington, DC 20201                           

Phone: 866-927-7748                                 

TTY: 886-788-4989                                   

Email: ocrprivacy@hhs.gov

 

YOU WILL NOT BE PENALIZED FOR  FILING A COMPLAINT

 

CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY NOTICE            

We may make changes to this notice in the future.  If the changes are material, a new notice will be available to you before your next service.   

You have the right to receive an additional copy of this notice at any time.