HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Vital Forge Wellness Clinic
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how your medical information may be used and disclosed, as well as how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY
Vital Forge Wellness Clinic is dedicated to protecting your health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI) and to provide you with this Notice explaining our legal duties and privacy practices.
USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
Your PHI may be used or disclosed in the following circumstances:
Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. This includes sharing information with other healthcare providers involved in your care, such as specialists or laboratories.
Payment
Your PHI may be used to obtain payment for services rendered. For example, we may share information with your health plan for prior authorizations or billing purposes.
Healthcare Operations
We may use or disclose your PHI for healthcare operations, including quality assessment, employee training, accreditation, and other business activities necessary to operate our clinic effectively.
Legal and Public Health Requirements
We may disclose your PHI as required by law, including but not limited to:
- Reporting communicable diseases to public health authorities
- Compliance with legal proceedings or law enforcement requests
- Addressing abuse, neglect, or domestic violence situations
- Meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reporting requirements
- Assisting with workers’ compensation claims
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the following rights regarding your PHI:
Access and Copies
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records, subject to limited exceptions (e.g., psychotherapy notes, legal proceedings). Fees may apply for copies.
Requesting Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. While we will consider your request, we are not legally required to agree unless the disclosure is to a health plan for a service you have paid for out-of-pocket in full.
Confidential Communications
You may request that we contact you in a specific way (e.g., only at a certain phone number or address). We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Amendments
If you believe your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment. If we deny your request, you may file a statement of disagreement.
Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of disclosures of your PHI made outside of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have received it electronically.
COMPLAINTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
Vital Forge Wellness ClinicPrivacy Officer: Mary Moret FNP-C FNP-BC2325 E Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Phone: (520) 549-1508
Email:
info@thevitalforge.com You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Office for Civil Rights200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Website:
www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to modify this Notice at any time. Any changes will be posted in our office and on our website. The revised Notice will apply to all PHI we maintain.