PRIVACY POLICY

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.

During your treatment at House Call Medical Practice, our caregivers may gather information about your medical history and current health. This notice of privacy practices explains how that information may be used and shared with others. It also explains your privacy rights regarding this information.

House Call Medical Practice is required by law to abide by the terms of notice, to make sure that information that identifies you is kept private, and to give you this notice of our legal duties and practices with respect to medical information about you. We are also required to notify you in the event there is a breach of your health information

Uses and disclosure of your health information: House Call Medical Practice may use health information to carry out treatment, payment and health care operations.

Treatment is the provision, coordination or management of health care. For example, we may use and disclose your information to consult with a third part or to refer you to other healthcare providers.
Healthcare operations include the activities necessary for House Call Medical Practice to runs its business operations. For example, we may use your information to review treatment and services and to evaluate the performance of our staff

We may use or disclose your health information

When required by federal, state or local law
To support public health activities by reporting as required or authorized by state or federal law. These reports may include the reporting of exposure to a communicable disease or risk of spreading a disease or condition.
To cooperate with law enforcement officials for certain law enforcement purposes as directed by a court order, warrant, criminal subpoena or other lawful process.
To report abuse or neglect.
To support health oversight activities that are authorized by law, such as administration or criminal investigations, inspections, licensure or disciplinary actions and other similar activities necessary for appropriate oversight of government benefit programs or functions.
When required by a coroner or medical examiner for the purpose of identifying a decreased person, determining a cause of death or other duties as required by law.
When necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health and safety of a person or the public and the disclosure is to a person reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat, as consistent with applicable law and standards.
For judicial or administrative proceedings, in response to a valid court order, administrative order a grand jury subpoena or with your written consent.
For research purposes, with your written authorization or as permitted by law.
To business associates to perform functions on behalf of House Call Medical Practice, if the business associate has signed an agreement to protect the confidentiality of the information.

We may disclose your health information to a family member, other relatives, or a close friend or any other person you identify if the information relates to that person’s involvement in your health care and if you consent to such a disclosure. If you are unable to agree or object to the use or disclosure, we may disclose such information as necessary if we determine that it is in your best interest.

Uses or Disclosures for other purposes only with your authorization. Your written authorization to use and disclose your health information is required in order for us to: use and disclose psychotherapy notes containing your information (to the extent we hold any); send marketing communications to your (if we will receive payment for making a marketing communication, we will state this in the authorization); and receive payment in exchange for your health information.

State laws may be more stringent and may prohibit certain uses and disclosures identified above. When state law is more protective of your privacy, we will follow that state law. For example, some state laws require additional protection for records related to mental health treatment, drug and alcohol treatment and HIV-related information.

Patient Rights: Inspect and obtain a copy of your health information. You have a right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information that is used to make decisions about your care for as long as House Call Medical Practice maintains the information. You may request an electronic copy of this health information that we maintain electronically. This right does not apply to certain health information, including information compiled in reasonable anticipation of or for our litigation. Requests for access to health information should be made in writing to House Call Medical Practice. You may also ask us to provide a copy of this health information to another person. In that case, your written request must be signed by you, must clearly identify the person to whom you want us to send the copy of your health information and must state where the copy is to be sent. If access is denied, you will be provided with a written explanation that sets forth the basis for the denial, a description of how you may review those rights and a description of how you may review those rights and a description of how you may complain.

Request an amendment. You may have the right to request that House Call Medical Practice amend your health information if it is incorrect or incomplete. Requests for amendment of information should be made in writing to the House Call Medical Practice, and you must provide a reason that supports your request to have the information changed. House Call Medical Practice may deny your request for an amendment if the request is not in writing and submitted to House Call Medical Practice. In addition, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that: (a) was not created by House Call Medical Practice (unless the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment; (b) is not part of the medical information kept by House Call Medical Practice; (c) is not part of the information you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or (d) is accurate and complete.

Receive an accounting of disclosures. At your request, House Call Medical Practice will provide you with an accounting of disclosures by House Call Medical Practice of your health information during the six years prior to the date of your request. However, such accounting will not include certain disclosures, such as those made: (1) to carry out treatment, payment or healthcare operations; (2) directly to you or your personal representatives; or (3) based on your E authorization. If you request more than one accounting within a 12 month period, House Call Medical Practice will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for each subsequent accounting. Requests for a request of an accounting of disclosures should be made in writing to the House Call Medical Practice at the address listed on this document.

Request communications by alternative means or at alternative locations. You have the right to request confidential communications by alternative means or at alternative locations. For example, you may request that we communicate with you only by mail. We will accommodate all reasonable requests, but your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted, and we may require you to provide information about how payment will be handled. You must request confidential communications in writing.

Obtain a copy of this Notice. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, contact House Call Medical Practice.

Exercise rights through a personal representative. You may exercise your rights through a personal representative as permitted or required by applicable law. Your personal representative may be required to produce evidence of authority to act on your behalf before that person will be given access to your information or allowed to take any action for you.

Complaints. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated you may complain to House Call Medical Practice at the address listed on this document. You may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints should be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized in any way for filing a complaint.

House Call Medical Practice Duties.

This notice is effective beginning January, 1, 2016. However, House Call Medical Practice reserves the right to change its privacy practices and this notice, and to apply the changes to any health information received or maintained by House Call Medical Practice prior to the date of the changes. If the terms of this notice are changed, a revised version will be available upon request.

You may address any questions about this notice or the privacy practice of House Call Medical Practice, regarding your information or other privacy or confidentiality concerns to:

1687-A Kalauokalani way, PMB 220

Honolulu, HI 96814