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Home Medical Enhancement Services, Inc. |
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Notice of Uses |
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PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION |
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( Effective 4/01/03 ) |
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THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED OR DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. |
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In accordance with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPPA"), Home Medical Enhancement Services, Inc., ("HMES") is required to inform you of its practices in relation to the protected health information that it maintains about you. HIPAA mandates minimum standards that a covered entity such as HMES must maintain in relation to your protected health information. This Notice of Uses is being provided to help you understand how HMES meets these minimum standards. It is also meant to inform you of the ways that HMES may use the personal information it collects about you and how it may disclose it.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION |
When you receive care from a healthcare provider, a record of that treatment is made. This record will typically contain information on your diagnosis, treatment, and future plan of treatment and is often collectively referred to as your medical record. This medical record includes protected health information and lays the foundation for determining your plan of care and treatment and allows for a successful means of communication between all healthcare professionals that contribute to your care.
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HIPAA protects information found in your medical record from disclosure without your authorization. The information protected by HIPAA includes:
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- Any information related to your past, present or future physical or mental health;
- The past, present or future payment for health services you have received;
- The specific care that you have received, are receiving or will receive;
- Any information that identifies you as the individual receiving the care; and
- Any information that someone could reasonably use to identify you as receiving the care.
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This information is referred to as protected health information throughout this Notice.
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OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES |
In order to release information contained in your medical record for purposes other than treatment, payment or healthcare operations, HMES must obtain a specific signed authorization from you. You may revoke such authorization at any time, except to the extent HMES has taken action in reliance on the authorization.
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There are a limited number of other uses and disclosures of protected health information that do not require a specific authorization from you. HMES may in the following circumstances disclose your protected health information.
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- HMES may disclose to a member of your family, other relative, or a close personal friend, or any other person identified by you, the protected health information directly relevant to such person's involvement with your care or payment related to your health care.
- HMES may disclose protected health information to others as required by law.
- HMES may disclose protected health information for certain public health activities and purposes.
- HMES may disclose protected health information to a legally-authorized goverment authority, such as a social service or protective services agency, if we reasonably believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
- HMES may disclose protected health information for law enforcement purposes and in response to court orders or subpoenas.
- HMES may disclose protected health information to agencies authorized by law to conduct health oversight activities, including audits, investigations, licensing and similar activities.
- HMES may disclose protected health information to attorneys, accountants, and others acting on behalf of HMES provided they have signed written contracts agreeing to safeguard the confidentiality of the information.
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YOUR RIGHTS AS A PATIENT OF HMES. |
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n accordance with HIPAA you have the following rights in relation to your protected health information. |
- You may request, in writing, additional restrictions to the use or disclosure of your protected health information; however, HMES is not required to agree to the requested restrictions.
- You have the right to request amendments to your medical record.
- You have the right to obtain a copy of this Notice of Uses.
- You have the right of access to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical record, subject to certain limitations.
- You have the right to obtain an accounting of disclosures of your medical record for purposes other than treatment, payment and healthcare operations.
- You have the right to request communications of your medical record by alternative means (i.e. Electronically ) or at alternative locations.
- You have the right to revoke authorization to use or disclose your protected health information except to the extent that action has already occurred.
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF HMES. |
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In accordance with HIPAA, HMES is required to: |
- Maintain the confidentiality of your protected health information. Your state
laws may provide more protection than the federal laws and, in that case, we will abide by
the more restrictive statue.
- Provide you with notice of our legal obligations and privacy practices regarding information
it may accumulate about you and is obligated to abide by the terms of this notice.
- Notify you if it is unable to agree to a requested restriction, and make every effort
to accomodate reasonable requests for communication of health information by alternative means.
- Post its Notice of Uses on its website at www.hmeservices.net
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Please be advised that in addition to these responsibilities, HMES reserves the right to change the terms of its Notice of Uses and make those changes applicable to all protected health information maintained at that time. If there is a change to its Notice of Uses, you may obtain a copy of the revised Notice of Uses by contacting the Privacy Officer at the address below. |
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HMES will not use or disclose your protected health information without your authorization, except as described in this notice. |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM |
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If you have questions, would like additional information or, if you suspect misuse of your protected health information and believe that your rights have been violated, you may, without fear or retaliation, contact: |
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