The notice of privacy practices is required by the Privacy Regulations created as a result of Health Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This notice describes how health information about you or your legal dependent (as a patient of this practice) may be used and disclosed and how you can access to your individually identifiable health information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please Review This Notice Carefully<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Our commitment to your privacy<\/strong> The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your IIHI that are created or retained by our practice. We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment to this notice will be effective for all or your records that we may create or maintain in the future. Our practice will post a copy of our current Notice in our offices in a visible location at all times, and you may request a copy of our most current Notice at any time. Patient accounts that are not paid within 90 days are subject to collection agency referral. If this occurs, you will not be able to make future appointments or receive services from Southwestern Hearing & Balance until balance is paid in full. We reserve the right to dismiss a patient for lack of payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. If you have any questions about this notice, please contact<\/strong> Treatment.<\/strong> Our practice may use your IIHI to treat you. For example, we may ask you to have laboratory test (such as blood or urine tests), and we may use the results to help us reach a diagnosis. We might use your IIHI in order to write a prescription for you, or we might disclose your IIHI to a pharmacy when a prescription is ordered for you. Many of the people who work for our practice \u2013including but not limited to our doctors and nurses \u2013 may use or disclose your IIHI in order to treat you or to assist others in your treatment. Additionally, we may disclose your IIHI to others who may assist in your care such as your spouse, children or parents. Finally, we may also disclose your IIHI to other health care providers for purposes related to your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Payment.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI in order to bill and collect payment for services and items you may receive from us. For example, we may contact your health insurer to certify that you are eligible for benefits (and for what range of benefits), and we may provide your insurer with details regarding your treatment to determine if your insurer will cover, or pay for, your treatment. We may also use and disclose your IIHI to obtain payment from third parties that may be responsible for such service costs, such as family members. Also, we may use your IIHI to bill you directly for service and items. We may disclose your IIHI to other health care providers and entities to assist in their billing an collection efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health Care Operations.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to operate our business. As examples of the way in which we may use and disclose your information for operations, our practice may use your IIHI to evaluate the quality of care you receive from us, to conduct cost-management and business planning activities for our practice. We may disclose your IIHI to other health care providers and entities to assist in their health care operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Appointment Reminders.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to contact you and remind you of an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Treatment Options.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to inform you of potential treatment options or alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health-Related Benefits and Services.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to inform you of health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Release of Information to Family\/Friends.<\/strong> Our practice may release your IIHI to a friend or family member that is involved in your care, or who assists in taking care of you. For example, a parent or guardian may ask that a babysitter take their child to the pediatricians\u2019 office for treatment of a cold. In this example, the babysitter may have access to this child\u2019s medical information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclosures Required by Law.<\/strong> Our practice will use and disclose your IIHI when we are required to do so by federal, state or local law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Use and disclosure of your IIHI in certain special circumstances<\/strong> Public Health Risks.<\/strong> Our practice may disclose your IIHI to public health authorities that are authorized by law to collect information for the purpose of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health Oversight Activities.<\/strong> Our practice may disclose your IIHI to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. Oversight activities can include for example, investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licensure and disciplinary actions; civil, administrative and criminal procedures or actions; or other activities necessary for the government to monitor government programs, compliance civil rights laws and the health care system in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lawsuits and Similar Proceedings.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI in response to a court or administrative order, if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding. We also may disclose your IIHI in response to a discovery request, subpoena, or other lawful process by another party involved in a dispute, but only if we have made an effort to inform you of the request or obtain an order protecting the information the party has requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Law Enforcement.<\/strong> We may release IIHI if asked to do so by a law enforcement official:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deceased Patients.<\/strong> Our Practice may release IIHI to a medical examiner or a coroner to identify a deceased individual or to identify the cause of death. If necessary, we also may release information in order for funeral directors to perform their jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organ and Tissue Donation.<\/strong> Our practice may release your IIHI to organizations that handle organ, eye or tissue procurement or transplantation, including organ donation banks, as necessary to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation if you are an organ donor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI for research purposes in certain limited circumstances. We will obtain written authorization to use your IIHI for research purposes except when Internal Review Board of Privacy Board has determined the waiver of your authorization satisfies the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Serious threats to Health or Safety.<\/strong> Our practice may use and disclose you IIHI when necessary to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another individual or the public. Under these circumstances, we will only make disclosures to a person or organization able to help prevent the threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Military.<\/strong> Our practice may disclose your IIHI if you are a member of U.S. or foreign military forces (including veterans) and if required by the appropriate authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n National Security.<\/strong> Our practice may disclose your IIHI to federal officials for intelligence and national security activities authorized by law. We also may disclose your IIHI to federal officials in order to protect the President, other official or foreign heads of state, or to conduct investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inmates.<\/strong> Our practice may disclose your IIHI to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if you are an inmate or in the custody of a law enforcement official. Disclosure for these purposes would be necessary: (a) for the institution to provide health care services to you, (b) for the safety and security of the institution and\/or (c) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of other individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Workers\u2019 Compensation.<\/strong> Our practice may release your IIHI for workers\u2019 compensation and similar programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Your Rights Regarding Your IIHI<\/strong> Confidential Communication.<\/strong> You have the right to request that our practice communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location. For instance, you may ask that we contact you at home, rather than at work. In order to request a type of confidential communication, you must make a written request to the Privacy Office at: Southwestern Hearing & Balance specifying the requested method of contact and\/or the location where you wish to be contacted. Our practice will accommodate reasonable requests. You do not need to give a reason for your request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Requesting Restrictions.<\/strong>\u00a0You have the right to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI for treatment, payment of health care operations. Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict our disclosure of your IIHI to only certain individuals involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as family members and friends. We are not required to agree to your request; however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you. In order to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI, you must make your request in writing to\u00a0Southwestern Hearing & Balance,<\/strong> 435 St. Michaels Dr. Suite B104 Santa Fe, NM 87505<\/strong> ; Attention: HIPAA Compliance Officer.<\/strong>\u00a0Your request must describe in a clear and concise fashion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspection and Copies.<\/strong> You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the IIHI that may be used to make decisions about you, including patient medical records and billing records, but not including psychotherapy notes. You must submit your request in writing to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Southwestern Hearing & Balance<\/strong>, 435 St. Michaels Dr. Suite B104 Santa Fe, NM 87505; Attention: HIPAA Compliance Officer<\/strong>\u00a0in order to inspect and\/or obtain a copy of your IIHI. Our practice may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing, labor and supplies associated with your request. Our practice may deny your request to inspect and\/or copy in certain limited circumstances; however, you may request a review of our denial. Another licensed health care professional chosen by us will conduct reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amendment.<\/strong>\u00a0You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and you may request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for our practice. To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to:\u00a0Southwestern Hearing & Balance, 435 St. Michaels Dr. Suite B104 Santa Fe, NM 87505; Attention: HIPAA Compliance Officer.<\/strong>\u00a0You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for amendment. Our practice will deny your request if you fail to submit your request (and the reason supporting your request) in writing. Also, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that is in our opinion (a) accurate and correct; (b) not part of the IIHI kept by or for the practice; (c) not part of the IIHI which you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or (d) not created by our practice, unless the individual or entity that created the information is not available to amend the information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accounting of Disclosures.<\/strong>\u00a0All of our patients have the right to request and \u201caccounting of disclosures\u201d An \u201caccounting of disclosures\u201d is a list of certain non-routine disclosures our practice has made of your IIHI for non-treatment, non-payment, or non-operations purposes. Use of your IIHI as part of the routine patient care in our practice is not required to be documented (for example, the doctor sharing information with the nurse; or the billing department using your information to file your insurance claim). In order to obtain an accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to:\u00a0Southwestern Hearing & Balance, 435 St. Michaels Dr. Suite B104 Santa Fe, NM 87505<\/strong>; Attention: HIPAA Compliance Officer.<\/strong>\u00a0All requests for an \u201caccount of disclosures\u201d must state a time period, which may not be longer than six (6) years from the date of disclosure and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. The first list you request within a 12-month period is free of charge, but our practice may charge you for additional lists within the same 12-month period. Our practice will notify you of other costs involved with additional requests, and you may withdraw your request before you incur any costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice.<\/strong>\u00a0You are entitled to receive a paper copy of our notice of privacy practices. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, Contact:\u00a0Southwestern Hearing & Balance, 435 St. Michaels Dr. Suite B104 Santa Fe, NM 87505<\/strong>; Attention: HIPAA Compliance Officer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Right to File a Complaint.<\/strong>\u00a0If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our practice or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with our practice, contact:\u00a0Southwestern Hearing & Balance, 435 St. Michaels Dr. Suite B104 Santa Fe, NM 87505<\/strong>; Attention: HIPAA Compliance Officer.<\/strong>\u00a0All complaints must be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right to Provide an Authorization for Other Uses and Disclosures.<\/strong> Our practice will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law. Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your IIHI may be revoked at any time in writing. After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your IIHI for the reasons described in the authorization. Please note we are required to retain records of your care. If you have any questions regarding this notice or our health information privacy policies, please contact our Privacy Office at: Southwestern Hearing & Balance; (505) 982-4848<\/a>. Revised 02\/13\/2009; by FMtz.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PRIVACY NOTICE The notice of privacy practices is required by the Privacy Regulations created as a result of Health Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This notice describes how health information about you or your legal dependent (as a patient of this practice) may be used and disclosed and how you can access to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1325,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"service_tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"service_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/service_tags?post=32"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Our Practice is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your individually identifiable health information (IIHI). In conducting our business, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we provide to you. We also are required by law to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and the privacy practices that we maintain in our practice concerning your IIHI. By federal and state law, we must follow the terms of the notice of privacy that we have in effect at the time. We realize that these laws are complicated, but we must provide you with the following important information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
The Privacy Officer at: Southwestern Hearing & Balance. We may use and disclose your IIHI in the following ways: The following categories describe the different ways in which we may use and disclose your IIHI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following categories describe unique scenarios in which we may use or disclose your identifiable health information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
You have the following rights regarding the IIHI that we maintain about you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n