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

 

PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.

 

Federal and state laws establish strict requirements regarding the use and disclosure of confidential and protected information (hereinafter, your “Health Information”). Shining Light Holistic Health and Wellness, LLC (the “Practice”) is required to comply with those laws as noted throughout this notice.

 

OBLIGATIONS OF THE PRACTICE:  

The Practice is required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy of your health information;

• Give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices regarding health   

             information about you; and

• Follow the terms of our notice currently in effect. 

 

HOW THE PRACTICE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION: 

The following describes the ways the Practice may use and disclose protected health information that identifies you (“Health Information”). Except for the purposes described below, the Practice will use and disclose Health Information only with your written permission. You may revoke such permission at any time by writing to the Privacy Officer at the contact information below.

 

For Treatment. the Practice may use and disclose Health Information for your treatment and to provide you with treatment-related health care services. For example, the Practice may disclose Health Information to doctors, nurses, technicians, or other personnel who are involved in your medical care and need the information to provide you with medical care.

 

For Health Care Operations. The Practice may use and disclose Health Information for health care operations purposes. These uses and disclosures are necessary to make sure that quality care is received and to operate, manage, and administer the functions of the agency. For example, the Practice may use and disclose information to make sure the medical care you receive is of the highest quality. The Practice also may share information with other entities that have a relationship with you (for example, your health plan) for their health care operation activities.

 

Appointment Reminders, Treatment Alternatives and Health Related Benefits and Services. The Practice may use and disclose Health Information to contact you to remind you of an appointment. The Practice also may use and disclose Health Information to tell you about treatment alternatives or health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.

 

Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. When appropriate, the Practice may share Health Information with a person who is involved in your medical care or payment for your care. 

 

Research. Under certain circumstances, the Practice may use and disclose Health Information for research. For example, a research project may involve comparing the health of patients who received one treatment to those who received another, for the same condition. Before the Practice uses or discloses Health Information for research, the project will go through a special approval process. Even without special approval, the Practice may permit researchers to look at records to help them identify patients who may be included in their research project or for other similar purposes, as long as they do not remove or take a copy of any Health Information.

 

SPECIAL SITUATIONS:

 

As Required by Law. The Practice will disclose Health Information when required to do so by international, federal, state or local law.

 

To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. The Practice may use and disclose Health Information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. Disclosures, however, will be made only to someone who may be able to help prevent the threat.

 

Business Associates. The Practice may disclose Health Information to our business associates that perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. For example, the Practice may utilize the services of a separate entity to perform information technology services. All the Practice business associates are obligated to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract.

 

Military and Veterans. If you are a member of the armed forces, the Practice may release Health Information as required by military command authorities. 

 

Workers’ Compensation. The Practice may release Health Information for workers’ compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

 

Public Health Risks. the Practice may disclose Health Information for public health activities. These activities generally include disclosures to prevent or control disease, injury or disability; report births and deaths; report child abuse or neglect; report reactions to medications or problems with products; notify people of recalls of products they may be using; a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition; and the appropriate government authority if it is believed a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. The Practice will only make this disclosure if you agree or when required or authorized by law.

 

Data Breach Notification Purposes. The Practice may use or disclose your Health Information to provide legally required notices of unauthorized access to or disclosure of your Health Information.

 

Lawsuits and Disputes. If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, the Practice may disclose Health Information in response to a court or administrative order. The Practice also may disclose Health Information in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.

 

Law Enforcement. The Practice may release Health Information if asked by a law enforcement official if the information is: 

(1) in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process;

1. limited information to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person;

2. about the victim of a crime even if, under certain very limited circumstances, we are unable to obtain the person’s agreement; 

(4) about a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct; 

(5) about criminal conduct on our premises; and 

(6) in an emergency to report a crime, the location of the crime or victims, or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime.

 

USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT REQUIRE THE PRACTICE TO PROVIDE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT AND OPT OUT: 

 

Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. Unless you object, the Practice may disclose to a member of your family, a relative, or any other person you identify, your Health Information that directly relates to that person’s involvement in your health care. If you are unable to agree or object to such a disclosure, the Practice may disclose such information as necessary if it is determined that it is in your best interest based on the professional judgment of the Practice.

 

Disaster Relief. The Practice may disclose your Health Information to disaster relief organizations that seek your Health Information to coordinate your care or notify family and friends of your location or condition in a disaster. The Practice will provide you with an opportunity to agree or object to such a disclosure whenever it is practical to do so.