106 W Main St #203, Kingwood, WV 26537, USA
Health Department
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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.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS NOTICE PLEASE CONTACT: PRIVACY OFFICER.
THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES DESCRIBES HOW THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) TO CARRY OUT TREATMENT, PAYMENT OR HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES THAT ARE PERMITTED OR REQUIRED BY LAW. IT ALSO DESCRIBES YOUR RIGHTS TO ACCESS AND CONTROL YOUR PHI. EACH TIME YOU COME TO THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, A RECORD OF THE VISIT IS MADE, WHICH INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO YOUR HEALTH HISTORY, PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, TEST RESULTS, DIAGNOSES AND TREATMENT AND ANY PLANS FOR FUTURE CARE AND TREATMENT. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS RECORD IS REFERRED TO AS YOUR “PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI).”
THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO: 1) ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION THAT IDENTIFIES YOU IS KEPT PRIVATE, 2) PROVIDE YOU WITH THIS NOTICE OF OUR LEGAL DUTIES AND PRIVACY PRACTICES REGARDING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU, AND 3) ABIDE BY THE TERMS OF THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES. THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE TERMS OF OUR NOTICE, AT ANY TIME. THE NEW NOTICE WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR ALL PHI THAT WE MAINTAIN AT THAT TIME. UPON YOUR REQUEST, WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY REVISED NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES. YOU MAY CALL THE OFFICE AND REQUEST THAT A REVISED COPY BE SENT TO YOU IN THE MAIL, OR ASK FOR ONE AT THE TIME OF YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT.
I. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PHI
A. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PHI FOR TREATMENT, PAYMENT AND HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS
THE LAW ALLOWS THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR PHI FOR TREATMENT, PAYMENT AND HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS. HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THE TYPES OF USES AND DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PHI THAT THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS PERMITTED TO MAKE.
B. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PHI BASED UPON YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES, THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL NOT USE OR DISCLOSURE YOUR PHI WITHOUT YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION. YOU MAY REVOKE A WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION, AT ANY TIME, IN WRITING, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS RELIED ON YOUR AUTHORIZATION TO USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR PHI. WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE BACK ANY DISCLOSURES WE HAVE ALREADY MADE WITH YOUR PERMISSION.
C. OTHER PERMITTED AND REQUIRED USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT MAY BE MADE WITH YOUR AUTHORIZATION OR OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PHI IN THE FOLLOWING INSTANCES LISTED BELOW. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AGREE OR OBJECT TO THESE USES OR DISCLOSURES OF ALL OR PART OF YOUR PHI. IF YOU ARE NOT PRESENT OR ABLE TO AGREE OR OBJECT TO THE USE OR DISCLOSURE OF THE PHI, THEN YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER PRACTITIONER MAY, USING HIS/HER PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT, DETERMINE WHETHER THE DISCLOSURE IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST. IN THIS CASE, ONLY THE PHI THAT IS RELEVANT TO YOUR HEALTH CARE WILL BE DISCLOSED.
D. OTHER PERMITTED AND REQUIRED USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT MAY BE MADE WITHOUT YOURAUTHORIZATION OR OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
WE MAY USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR PHI IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS WITHOUT YOUR AUTHORIZATION. THESE SITUATIONS INCLUDE
II. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI
A. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO INSPECT AND COPY YOUR PHI.
THIS MEANS YOU MAY INSPECT AND OBTAIN A COPY OF PHI ABOUT YOU THAT IS CONTAINED IN A DESIGNATED RECORD SET FOR AS LONG AS WE MAINTAIN THE PHI. A “DESIGNATED RECORD SET” CONTAINS MEDICAL AND BILLING RECORDS AND ANY OTHER RECORDS THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT USES TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT YOU, (EXCEPT FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY NOTES), INFORMATION COMPILED IN REASONABLE ANTICIPATION OF, OR USE IN, A CIVIL, CRIMINAL, OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND PHI THAT IS SUBJECT TO LAW THAT PROHIBITS ACCESS TO PHI. DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, A DECISION TO DENY ACCESS MAY BE REVIEWED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL CHOSEN BY US. THE PERSON CONDUCTING THE REVIEW WILL NOT BE THE PERSON WHO DENIED YOUR REQUEST. WE WILL COMPLY WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW. PLEASE CONTACT OUR PRIVACY OFFICER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCESS TO YOUR MEDICAL RECORD.
B. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS OF THE USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PHI.
THIS MEANS YOU MAY ASK THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOT TO USE OR DISCLOSE ANY PART OF YOUR PHI FOR THE PURPOSES OF TREATMENT, PAYMENT OR HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS. YOU MAY ALSO REQUEST THAT ANY PART OF YOUR PHI NOT BE DISCLOSED TO FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS WHO MAY BE INVOLVED IN YOUR CARE OR FOR NOTIFICATION PURPOSES AS DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES. YOUR REQUEST MUST STATE SPECIFICALLY: 1) WHAT INFORMATION YOU WANT RESTRICTED, 2) WHETHER YOU ARE REQUESTING TO RESTRICT USE, DISCLOSURE OR BOTH, 3) TO WHOM THE RESTRICTION WILL APPLY, AND 4) AN EXPIRATION DATE.
THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO AGREE TO A RESTRICTION THAT YOU REQUEST. IF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER PRACTITIONER BELIEVES IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO PERMIT USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PHI, THEN IT WILL NOT BE RESTRICTED. IF WE DO NOT AGREE TO THE REQUESTED RESTRICTION, THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MAY NOT USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR PHI IN VIOLATION OF THAT RESTRICTION UNLESS IT IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY TREATMENT. PLEASE DISCUSS ANY RESTRICTION YOU WISH TO REQUEST WITH OUR PRIVACY OFFICER.
WE MAY TERMINATE AN AGREED UPON RESTRICTION WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT. IN THAT SITUATION, THE RESTRICTION WILL ONLY APPLY TO PHI CREATED OR RECEIVED BEFORE YOU WERE INFORMED OF THE TERMINATION OF THE RESTRICTION.
C. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THAT YOU RECEIVE CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM US BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS OR AT AN ALTERNATIVE LOCATION.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THAT THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTCOMMUNICATE WITH YOU ABOUT MEDICAL MATTERS IN A CERTAIN WAY OR AT A CERTAIN LOCATION. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CAN ASK THAT YOU ONLY BE CONTACTED AT WORK OR BY MAIL. WE WILL NOT REQUEST AN EXPLANATION FROM YOU AS TO THE BASIS FOR THE REQUEST, HOWEVER WE MAY WANT TO KNOW HOW PAYMENT WILL BE HANDLED OR REQUEST AN ALTERNATIVE ADDRESS OR OTHER METHOD OF CONTACT. PLEASE MAKE THIS REQUEST IN WRITING TO OUR PRIVACY OFFICER.
D. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THAT YOUR PHI BE AMENDED.
IF YOU FEEL THAT PHI WE HAVE ABOUT YOU IS NOT CORRECT OR IS INCOMPLETE, YOU MAY ASK US TO AMEND THE INFORMATION. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST AN AMENDMENT FOR AS LONG AS WE MAINTAIN YOUR PHI. YOUR REQUEST MUST BE IN WRITING AND PROVIDE A REASON TO SUPPORT YOUR REQUESTED AMENDMENT. YOUR REQUEST WILL BE CONSIDERED AND CHANGES WILL BE MADE BASED ON THE MEDICAL OPINION OF THE PHYSICIAN OR OTHER PRACTITIONER ORIGINATING THE ENTRY. IN CERTAIN CASES, YOUR REQUEST MAY BE DENIED. IF WE DENY YOUR REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE A STATEMENT OF DISAGREEMENT WITH US AND WE MAY PREPARE A REBUTTAL TO YOUR STATEMENT AND WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A COPY OF ANY SUCH REBUTTAL. PLEASE CONTACT OUR PRIVACY OFFICER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT AMENDING YOU MEDICAL RECORD.
E. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE AN ACCOUNTING OF CERTAIN DISCLOSURES WE HAVE MADE, IF ANY, OF YOUR PHI.
THIS RIGHT APPLIES TO DISCLOSURES FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN TREATMENT, PAYMENT OR HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES. IT EXCLUDES DISCLOSURES WE MAY HAVE MADE TO YOU, TO FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS INVOLVED IN YOUR CARE, OR FOR NOTIFICATION PURPOSES. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THESE DISCLOSURES THAT OCCURRED AFTER APRIL 14, 2003. THE FIRST LIST YOU REQUEST IN A TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE. FOR ADDITIONAL LISTS, WE MAY CHARGE YOU FOR THE COST(S) OF PROVIDING THE LIST(S). WE WILL NOTIFY YOU OF THE COST(S) INVOLVED AND YOU MAY CHOSE TO WITHDRAW OR MODIFY YOUR REQUEST BEFORE ANY COST(S) ARE INCURRED. YOU MAY REQUEST THIS DISCLOSURE FOR ANY TIME PERIOD UP TO A MAXIMUM TIME FRAME OF SIX YEARS. THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS.
F. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN A PAPER COPY OF THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES.
III. COMPLAINTS
YOU WILL NOT BE PENALIZED FOR FILING A COMPLAINT. IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED, YOU MAY FILE A COMPLAINT BY NOTIFYING OUR PRIVACY OFFICER OR BY WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
PRIVACY OFFICER, PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, 106 WEST MAIN STREET, SUITE 203, KINGWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA 26537, PHONE: (304) 329-0096, FAX: (304) 329-3103.
IV. QUESTIONS
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MATTERS COVERED BY THIS NOTICE YOU MAY CONTACT THE PRESTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THIS NOTICE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON AUGUST 1, 2003.
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