Privacy Policy

Notice of Privacy Practices

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.

The Wholistic Health Center of Tucson and Jessica Montana, L.Ac. are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal health information (PHI). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable state laws.

Our Responsibilities

We are required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information
• Notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information
• Follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it
• Not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

For Treatment

We may use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you. This includes coordination or management of your health care with third parties, consultation with other health care providers, or referral to another provider for treatment.

For Payment

We may use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities. This includes providing information to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your services.

For Healthcare Operations

We may use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. This includes:

• Quality assessment and improvement activities
• Employee review and training programs
• Accreditation, certification, licensing, or credentialing activities
• Business planning and development

Other Uses and Disclosures

We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways, usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as:

• As Required by Law: We will disclose your health information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law
• Public Health Activities: For public health activities authorized by law, including disease prevention and control
• Abuse or Neglect: To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence to government authorities
• Health Oversight: To health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
• Legal Proceedings: In response to a court order or subpoena
• Law Enforcement: For law enforcement purposes as required by law
• Serious Threats: To prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of others
• Workers' Compensation: For workers' compensation claims processing

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

Other uses and disclosures of your health information not covered by this notice will be made only with your written authorization, including:

• Marketing purposes
• Sale of your health information
• Most sharing of psychotherapy notes
• Any other purpose not described in this Privacy Policy

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

Right to Inspect and Copy

You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of your health records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing costs.

Right to Request Amendment

You have the right to request that we amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny your request if the information was not created by us or if we believe it is accurate and complete.

Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to your request except when you pay for services in full out-of-pocket.

Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about health matters in a certain way or at a certain location (for example, only by mail or only at your home address).

Right to Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we made of your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.

Right to a Copy of This Notice

You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

Right to Choose Someone to Act for You

If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.

Security of Your Information

We maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your health information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These safeguards include:

• Limiting access to your information to authorized personnel only
• Training our staff on privacy and security procedures
• Securing paper records in locked filing cabinets
• Using password-protected computer systems
• Encrypting electronic communications containing PHI

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this privacy notice and make the new notice apply to all health information we maintain. The current notice will be posted in our office and on our website with its effective date.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Acknowledgment of Receipt

By receiving treatment at The Wholistic Health Center of Tucson, you acknowledge that you have been provided with a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices.