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. SPANISH VERSION HERE.
At Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc. (“Mary’s Center”), we are committed to treating and using Protected Health Information about you responsibly. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information, to notify you of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured health information. This Notice summarizes our duties and your rights concerning your information. This Notice applies to all Protected Health Information as defined by Federal regulations.
- Uses and Disclosures We May Make Without Written Authorization. We may use or disclose your health information for certain purposes without your written authorization, including the following:
Treatment. We may use or disclose your information for purposes of treating you. For example, we may disclose your information to another health care provider so they may treat you; to provide appointment reminders; or to provide information about treatment alternatives or services we offer.
Payment. We may use or disclose your information to obtain payment for services provided to you. For example, we may disclose information to your health insurance company or other payer to obtain payment for treatment.
Healthcare Operations. We may use or disclose your information for certain activities that are necessary to operate our practice and ensure that our patients receive quality care. For example, we may use information to train or review the performance of our staff or make decisions affecting the practice.
Other Uses or Disclosures. We may also use or disclose your information for certain other purposes allowed by 45 CFR § 164.512 or other applicable laws and regulations, including the following:
- To avoid a serious threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.
- As required by state or Federal law such as reporting abuse, neglect or certain other events.
- As allowed by workers compensation laws for use in workers compensation proceedings.
- For certain public health activities such as reporting certain diseases.
- For certain public health oversight activities such as audits, investigations, or licensure actions.
- In response to a court order, warrant or subpoena in judicial or administrative proceedings.
- For certain specialized government functions such as the military or correctional institutions.
- For research purposes if certain conditions are satisfied.
- In response to certain requests by law enforcement to locate a fugitive, victim, or witness, or to report deaths or certain crimes.
- To coroners, funeral directors, or organ procurement organizations to allow them to carry out their duties.
- Disclosures We May Make Unless You Object. Unless you instruct us otherwise, we may disclose your information as described below.
- To a member of your family, relative, friend, or other person who is involved in your healthcare or payment for your healthcare. We will limit the disclosure to the information relevant to that person’s involvement.
- We participate in one or more Health Information Exchanges (HIE) which allows disclosure of your electronic health record via electronic transfer to other facilities and providers for your treatment purposes. Your health information and basic identifying information regarding your visits to our facilities may be shared with the HIEs for the purposes of diagnosis and treatment. You have the right to opt-out. This includes health information for your continuing care, as well as care you may seek at other locations. Other providers participating in these HIEs may access this information as part of your treatment.
- Uses and Disclosures with Your Written Authorization. Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization, including most uses or disclosures of psychotherapy notes; for most marketing purposes. You may revoke your authorization by submitting a written notice to the Privacy Contact identified below. The revocation will not be effective to the extent we have already acted in reliance on the authorization.
- Your Rights Concerning Your Protected Health Information. You have the following rights concerning your health information. To exercise any of these rights, you must submit a written request to the Privacy Officer identified below.
- You may request additional restrictions on the use or disclosure of information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to the requested restriction except in the limited situation in which you or someone on your behalf pays for an item or service, and you request that information concerning such item or service not be disclosed to a health insurer.
- We normally contact you by telephone, mail at your home address, and possibly by e-mail if you have given your e-mail address. You may request that we contact you by alternative means or at alternative locations. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
- You may inspect and obtain a copy of records that are used to make decisions about your care or payment for your care, including an electronic copy. We may charge you a reasonable cost-based fee for providing the records. We may deny your request under limited circumstances, e.g., if we determine that disclosure may result in harm to you or others.
- You may request that your Protected Health Information be amended. We may deny your request for certain reasons, e.g., if we did not create the record of if we determine the record is accurate and complete.
- You may receive an accounting of certain disclosures we have made of your Protected Health Information. You may receive the first accounting within a 12-month period free of charge. We may charge a reasonable cost-based fee for all subsequent requests during that 12-month period.
- You may obtain a paper copy of this Notice upon request. You have this right even if you have agreed to receive the Notice electronically.
- Changes to this Notice. We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice at any time, and to make the new Notice effective for all Protected Health Information that we maintain. If we materially change our privacy practices, we will post a copy of the current Notice in our reception area and on our website. You may obtain a copy of the Notice from our front desk or Privacy Officer.
- Complaints. You may submit a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. Please file your complaint by notifying our Privacy Officer or reporting to our Speak-UP & Report Line (PH: 844.237.8634 or online: maryscenter.ethicspoint.com). All complaints must be in writing. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
- Contact Information. If you have any questions about this Notice, or if you want to object to or complain about any use or disclosure or exercise any right as explained above, please contact:
Mary’s Center
Attn: EVP of Compliance
2333 Ontario Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Email: privacy@maryscenter.org
- Effective Date. This Notice is effective July 14, 2023.
