Patient Privacy Policy
SOUTHERN BRAIN AND BODY SOLUTIONS
2201 11th Street, Suite 1
Mandeville, LA 70471
985-626-4422
Notice of Patient Privacy Policy
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. If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer or any staff member in our office.
Our Privacy Officer is Dr. Nancy Gravel
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information to carry out your treatment, collect payment for your care and manage the operations of this clinic. It also describes our policies concerning the use and disclosure of this information for other purposes that are permitted or required by law. It describes your rights to access and control your protected health information.
“Protected Health Information” (PHI) is information about you, including demographic information that may identify you, that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.
We are required by federal law to abide by the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices. We may change the terms of our notice at any time. The new notice will be effective for all protected health information that we maintain at that time. You may obtain revisions to our Notice of Privacy Practices by accessing our website, calling the office and requesting that a revised copy be sent to you in the mail, or asking for one at the time of your next appointment.
—
### A. Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
By applying to be treated in our office, you are implying consent to the use and disclosure of your protected health information by your doctor, our office staff and others outside of our office that are involved in your care and treatment for the purpose of providing health care services to you. Your protected health information may also be used and disclosed to bill for your health care and to support the operation of the practice.
**Uses and Disclosures Based Upon Your Implied Consent**
Following are examples of the types of uses and disclosures of your protected health care information we will make, based on this implied consent:
*
**Treatment:** We will use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your health care and any related services. This includes coordination with a third party that has already obtained your permission. For example, we would disclose PHI to another physician treating you or a specialist/laboratory providing assistance with your diagnosis.
*
**Payment:** Your PHI will be used, as needed, to obtain payment for your health care services. This includes activities your health insurance plan may undertake before it approves or pays, such as determining eligibility, reviewing medical necessity, and utilization review. For example, obtaining approval for chiropractic spinal adjustments may require disclosing PHI to the health plan.
*
**Healthcare Operations:** We may use or disclose your PHI to support the business activities of this office. These activities include quality assessment, employee reviews, and training of chiropractic students. For example, we may disclose PHI to chiropractic interns or precepts seeing patients at our office.
*
**Office Procedures:** We may use a sign-in sheet at the registration desk, record communications between you and the doctor to ensure accuracy, call you by name in the reception area, and contact you for appointment reminders.
*
**Business Associates:** We share PHI with third-party “business associates” (e.g., billing or transcription services). We have written contracts with these associates to protect the privacy of your information.
*
**Marketing/Treatment Alternatives:** We may use PHI to provide information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits. We may also use PHI for internal marketing, such as newsletters; however, we will ask for your authorization and you may opt out by contacting our Privacy Officer.
**Uses and Disclosures Made Only With Your Written Authorization**
Other uses and disclosures of your PHI will be made only with your written authorization, unless otherwise permitted or required by law:
* Disclosures of psychotherapy notes.
* Uses and disclosures for marketing purposes or those that constitute a sale of PHI.
* Information relative to drug history, drug addiction, or notes on mental health care.
* Any other uses not described in this Notice.
**Uses and Disclosures That May Be Made With Your Authorization or Opportunity to Object**
You can agree or object to the disclosure of your PHI to others involved in your healthcare, such as family members, relatives, or close friends directly involved in your care. If you are not present or able to object, your doctor may use professional judgment to determine if the disclosure is in your best interest. We may also use PHI to notify family members of your location or general condition or to assist in disaster relief efforts.
**Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures Made Without Your Consent**
We may disclose PHI without your consent in the following situations:
*
**Required By Law:** When mandated by law, limited to the relevant requirements.
*
**Public Health:** For controlling disease, injury, or disability, or reporting child abuse and neglect.
*
**Communicable Diseases:** To notify persons at risk of contracting or spreading a disease.
*
**Health Oversight:** For audits, investigations, and inspections by government agencies.
*
**Abuse or Neglect:** If we believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
*
**Legal Proceedings and Law Enforcement:** In response to court orders, subpoenas, or for specific law enforcement purposes.
*
**Workers’ Compensation:** To comply with workers’ compensation laws.
*
**Required Uses:** To you or to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to determine compliance.
—
### B. Your Rights
*
**Inspect and Copy:** You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical and billing records (designated record set) for as long as we maintain them. Federal law prohibits access to psychotherapy notes and information compiled for legal proceedings.
*
**Request Restrictions:** You may ask us not to use or disclose any part of your PHI for treatment, payment, or operations. You have the right to restrict disclosures to a health plan if you pay out of pocket in full. Requests must be in writing. Your provider is not required to agree to a restriction if they believe it is not in your best interest.
*
**Confidential Communications:** You may request to receive communications by alternative means or at an alternative location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
*
**Amend PHI:** You may request an amendment to your PHI. If denied, you have the right to file a statement of disagreement.
*
**Accounting of Disclosures:** You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures made after April 14, 2003, for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
*
**Notice of Breach:** You have the right to be notified by our office of any breach of privacy of your PHI.
*
**Privacy During Treatment:** While some treatments may occur in common areas, private rooms are always available upon request for discussing PHI.
*
**Paper Copy:** You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this notice upon request.
—
### C. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may complain to us or the Secretary of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with us, contact:
**Privacy Officer: Dr. Nancy Gravel**
985-626-4422
[www.southernbrainandbody.com](https://www.southernbrainandbody.com)
Online: [https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/complaint-process/index.html](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/complaint-process/index.html)
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
**Effective Date:** June 1, 2024
—
Would you like me to create a summary of the key “Patient Rights” section to use as a quick-reference guide for your web page?