Privacy Policy

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that health providers keep your medical and dental information private. The HIPAA Privacy Rule states that health providers must also post in a clear and prominent location, and provide patients with a written Notice of Privacy Policy.

The privacy practices described are currently in effect. We reserve the right to change our privacy practices, and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by law. If changes are made, a new Notice of Privacy policy will be displayed in our office and provided to patients. You may request a copy of our Notice at any time.

USES AND DISCLOSURES OF HEALTH INFORMATION

The following describes how information about you may be used in this dental office:

• Treatment Services: We may use or disclose your health information to all of our staff members, other dentists, your physicians, and/or other health care providers taking care of you.
• Payment and Health Care Operations: We may use or disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we provide to you, to participate in quality assurance, disease management, training, licensing, and certification programs.
• Marketing/Fundraising: We will not use your health information for marketing or fundraising purposes without your written consent. You can opt out of receiving information about our marketing or fundraisers. We will not sell your health information. In addition, we will not share your text message opt-in information with affiliates or third parties for marketing purposes
• Appointment Reminders/Treatment Communications: We may use or disclose your health information to provide you with appointment reminders such as voicemail messages, text messages, emails, postcards, or letters.
• Legal Requirements: We may use or disclose your health information when required to do so by law.
• Abuse or Neglect: If abuse or neglect is reasonably suspected, we may use or disclose your health information to the appropriate governmental authorities.
• Family Members, Friends, and Others Involved in Care: At your request, we may disclose your health information to a family member or other person if necessary to assist with your treatment and/or payment for services. Based on our judgement and as per 164.522(a) of HIPAA we may disclose your information to these persons in the event of an emergency situation. We also may make information available so that another person may pick up filled prescriptions, medical supplies, records, or x-rays for you. Your information may be disclosed to assist in notifying a family member, caregiver, or personal representative of your location, condition, or death.
• Public Health Activities: We may use or disclose your health information for public health activities, to include the following: to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability; to report reactions with medications or problems with products, to notify people of recalls of products they may be using; to notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or who may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition; to notify the proper government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence (when required by law).
• Other Authorizations: In addition to our use of your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, you may give us written authorization to use your health information or to disclose it to anyone for any purpose. If you give us authorization, you may revoke it at any time. Your revocation will not affect any use or disclosures permitted by your authorization while it was in effect. Unless you give us a written authorization, we cannot use or disclose your health information for any reason except those described in this Notice.
• Breach Notification: We will notify you any time your PHI may have been compromised through unauthorized acquisition, use or disclosure.

PATIENT RIGHTS

• Access: You have the right to look at or get copies of your health information, with limited exceptions. You may request that we provide copies in a format other than photocopies.
• Restriction: You have the right to request that we place additional restrictions on our use or disclosure of your health information. We will keep your information confidential. In some instances, we may not be required to agree to these additional restrictions, but if we do, we will abide by our agreement (except in an emergency).
• Alternative Communication: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by alternative means or to alternative locations. (You must make your request in writing.) Your request must specify the alternative means or location, and provide satisfactory explanation how payments will be handled under the alternative means or location you request.
• Amendment: You have the right to request that we amend your health information. (Your request must be in writing, and must explain the reason for the amendment.) We may deny your request under certain circumstances.

QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS

If you want more information about our Privacy Policy or have questions or concerns, please contact us. If you have concerns relating to a perceived violation of your privacy rights, to access to your health information, to amending or restricting the use or disclosure of your health information, or to request an alternative means of communication, you may contact us.

We support your right to the privacy of your health information. We will not retaliate in any way if you choose to file a complaint with us or with the HHS.