|
NOTICE
OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective: April
12, 2004
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES
HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND
HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION
PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY
Privacy Promise
HerediLab understands that your medical and health information
is personal. Protecting your health information is important.
We follow strict federal and state laws that require us to maintain
the confidentiality of your health information.
How We Use Your
Health Information
When you receive testing from HerediLab, we may use your health
information for treating you, billing for services, and conducting
our normal business known as health care operations.
Examples of how we use your information include:
Treatment
- We keep records of the testing results provided to your health
care provider. Health care providers use these records to deliver
quality care to meet your needs. For example, your doctor may
share your health information with a specialist who will assist
in your treatment.
Payment - We keep billing records that include payment
information and documentation of the services provided to you.
Your information may be used to obtain payment from you, your
insurance company, or another third party. We may also contact
your insurance company to verify coverage for your care or to
notify them of upcoming services that may need prior notice or
approval. For example, we may disclose health information about
the services provided to you to claim and obtain payment from
your insurance company or Medicare.
Health Care Operations - We use health information to improve
the quality of care, train staff, provide customer service, manage
costs, conduct required business duties, and make plans to better
serve our communities. For example, we may use your health information
to evaluate the quality of services provided by our laboratory
staff.
Sharing Your
Health Information
There are limited situations when we are permitted or required
to disclose health information without your signed authorization
(permission). These situations are:
For public health purposes such as reporting work-related illnesses.
For health oversight activities such as investigations, audits,
and inspections
For lawsuits and similar proceedings
When required by law
When requested by law enforcement as required by law or court
order
To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors
For organ and tissue donation
For research approved by our review process under strict federal
guidelines
To reduce or prevent a serious threat to public health and safety
For workers' compensation or other similar programs if you are
injured at work
For specialized government functions such as intelligence and
national security
All other uses
and disclosures, not described in this notice, require your signed
authorization. You may revoke your authorization at any time with
a written statement submitted to our Privacy Officer.
Our Privacy Responsibilities
Maintain the privacy of your health information
Provide this notice that describes the ways we may use and share
your health information
Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect
We reserve the
right to make changes to this notice at any time and apply the
new privacy practices to all information we maintain. Current
notices will be posted at our place of business and on our website,
http://www.alpha1center.com. You may also request a copy of this
notice by contacting the laboratory at (801) 328-4662.
Your Individual
Rights
Request special restrictions on how we use and share your health
information. We will consider all requests for special restrictions
carefully, but are not required to agree to any restriction. Your
request must be in writing.
Request that we use a specific telephone number or address to
communicate with you. Your request must be in writing.
Inspect and receive a copy of your health information, including
medical and billing records. Fees may apply. Under limited circumstances,
we may deny you access to a portion of your health information
and you may request a review of the denial. Your request must
be in writing.
Request an amendment to your health information. Your request
must be in writing.
Request an accounting of certain disclosures we make of your health
information. The list does not include disclosures made for treatment,
payment, and health care operations and some disclosures required
by law. Your request must state the period of time requested for
the accounting. An accounting goes back only six years and does
not cover disclosures made prior to April 14, 2003. The first
accounting is free but a fee will apply if more than one request
is made in a 12-month period. Your request must be made in writing.
Request a paper copy of this notice even if you agree to receive
it electronically.
Other Services
We Provide
We may also use your health information to:
Recommend treatment alternatives
Tell you about health services and products that may benefit you
Share information with family or friends directly involved in
your care or in paying for your care
Share information with third parties who assist us with treatment,
payment, and health care operations. Our business associates must
follow our privacy practices
Contact Us
If you are concerned that your privacy rights may have been violated,
or disagree with a decision that we made about access to your
health information, please contact:
The Privacy
Officer
Alpha1Center
1060 E. 100 So.
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 328-4662
We will investigate
all complaints and will not retaliate against you for filing a
complaint. You may also file a written complaint with the Office
of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
|