NOTICE OF 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 THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.
Best Home Health Care, Inc. is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information, to provide you with your rights regarding your health information, and to abide by the terms of this Notice and Privacy Practices. We may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) in order to carry out treatment, collect payment, carry out agency functions and operations, and for other purposes permitted or required by law. PHI is information that may identify you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.
The agency may change the terms of this Notice at any time. In the event the Notice or our practices are changed, you will be notified and provided with a revised Notice.
Use and Disclosure Of Health Information
Treatment PHI may be used to provide and coordinate care within the agency, and with others involved, such as your physician and other health care professionals. We may also disclose PHI to individuals outside of the agency who are involved in your care, such as your pharmacist.
Payment PHI may be used to bill and collect payment from your insurance company or Medicaid. The Agency may need to disclose health information in order to obtain prior approval for your home health services.
Health Care Operations PHI may be used and disclosed in order for the agency to carry out day to day operations to provide you with quality care, to evaluate the care we provide, and to comply with our policies and procedures. For example, we may used PHI to remind you of an upcoming home visit; to recommend treatment options; to conduct performance evaluations; training and education of staff; for accreditation, certification, licensing, or credentialing activities; and for business planning and development within the agency.
Information may also be used to contact you for agency fundraising activities.
In addition to the circumstances stated above, your PHI may also be used and disclosed:
- When required by federal, state, or local law; such as responding to a court order or subpoena, or if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding. The agency will make every reasonable effort to notify you of such requests to protect the information being requested.
- To a family member, or any other person you identify involved in your care or in the payment of services related to your care.
- To the extent authorized and necessary to comply with the law’s relating to worker’s compensation or other similar programs.
- To Public Health or other authorities responsible for the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability. Activities include: maintaining vital statistics and records of births and deaths; reporting of child abuse or neglect; notification of potential/actual exposure to communicable disease; reporting of problems related to medications, defective products or devices; product recalls, repairs, and replacements; and compliance with all the requirement s of the FDA.
- To provide medical examiners, coroners, and funeral directors with the necessary information to enable them to carry out their duties.
- To other oversight agencies for activities including audits, criminal investigations, inspections, licensure or disciplinary action, and compliance with civil rights laws.
- For the purpose of national security and intelligence investigations. If you are a member of the armed forces, PHI may be released as required by military law.
- To law enforcement authorities regarding a crime or a death believed to result of criminal conduct; in response to a warrant or similar legal order; to identify or locate a fugitive, missing person, material witness in a crime; and in an emergency, to report a crime.
- To report abuse, neglect, or domestic Violence to social service or protective agencies when there is a reasonable suspicion that you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. Information will only be disclosed to the extent required by law, if you agree to the disclosure, or if required by law.
- To organ procurement organizations or other entities engaged in the donation and transplant.
- To business associates who are contracted by the agency to perform specific services for the agency, such as billing companies. All business associates are required by the agency to protect your PHI.
The Agency will not use or disclose your PHI for any other purposes other than those stated above without written authorization from you or your legal representative. This written authorization may be withdrawn or revoked in writing at any time.
You have the Right to:
- Review and obtain a copy of your PHI that is maintained by the Agency, including billing records. The agency may charge a reasonable fee for the costs associated with your request. The request must be submitted in writing to Kendrys Vasquez, Program Director. Under certain circumstances your request may be denied. You have the right to have such a decision reviewed.
- Request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your PHI by the agency when carrying out treatment, collecting payment, or conducting agency operations. You may restrict how much PHI is disclosed to family members or other persons involved in your care, or payment for that care. The request must be made in writing to Kendrys Vasquez, Program Director and include the information you want to restrict, to whom the restrictions apply. The agency is not required to agree with this request.
- Amend or correct your PHI if you believe that any PHI we have is not correct or is incomplete. You may request an amendment, in writing and submit it to Kendrys Vasquez, Program Director. The request must include the reason for the amendment.
The request may be denied by the agency if it is not in writing, does not include a reason to support the request, if the information you want amended was not created by the agency or is not a part of the agency records, or if the agency believes the information is accurate and complete. You have the right to file a written statement of disagreement.
- Receive a list of the disclosures the agency has made of your PHI and for what purpose, other than to carry out treatment, collect payment, and conduct agency health care operations. Disclosures made to you, those made for notification purposes and appointments, and to family members and others involved in your care are excluded.
Requests for an accounting of disclosures are subject to certain limitations: it must be in writing, state a time period on or before April 14, 2003, may not be made for periods in excess of 6 years, and the first accounting requested within a 12 month period will be provided without charge. Subsequent accountings may be subject to charge. You will be notified of any cost involved. You may withdraw your request at any time. Submit your request to Kendrys Vasquez, Program Director.
- Receive a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you or your legal representative has received this Notice previously.
- Receive confidential communications upon request. You may ask the agency to contact you in a particular manner or at certain locations. Example: you request to be contacted only in writing, in private, or at a different address or residence. This request must be submitted in writing to Kendrys Vasquez, Program Director, and should include how or when you want to be contacted. All attempts will be made to comply with your request.
- To revoke a consent or authorization at any time. This request to revoke must be made in writing.
- Right to file a complaint to the agency and the Secretary of DHHS, without fear of retaliation or discrimination, if you believe that your privacy rights have been violated. Complaints to agency should be addressed to:
Kendrys Vasquez, Program Director
Best Home Health Care, Inc.
140 Gould Street, Suite 210 Neeham, MA 02494
617-207-2100
bhhc@bhhealthcare.org