• For Treatment – I use and disclose your health information internally in the course of your treatment.  If I wish to provide information outside of our practice for your treatment by another health care provider, I will have you sign an authorization for release of information.  Furthermore, an authorization is required for most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes.

• For Payment – I may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you as delineated in the Therapy Agreement.

• For Operations – I may use and disclose your health information as part of our internal operations.  For example, this could mean a review of records to assure quality.  I may also use your information to tell you about services, educational activities, and programs that I feel might be of interest to you.

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• Right to Treatment – You have the right to ethical treatment without discrimination regarding race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability status, age, or any other protected category. 

• Right to Confidentiality – You have the right to have your health care information protected.  If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer.  I will agree to such unless a law requires us to share that information.

• Right to Request Restrictions – You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information about you.  However, I am not required to agree to a restriction you request.

• Right to Receive Confidential Communications by Alternative Means and at Alternative Locations – You have the right to request and receive confidential communications of PHI by alternative means and at alternative locations.

• Right to Inspect and Copy – You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy (or both) of PHI.  Records must be requested in writing and release of information must be completed.  Furthermore, there is a copying fee charge of $1.50  per page.  Please make your request well in advance and allow 2 weeks to receive the copies.  If I refuse your request for access to your records, you have a right of review, which I will discuss with you upon request.

• Right to Amend – If you believe the information in your records is incorrect and/or missing important information, you can ask us to make certain changes, also known as amending, to your health information.  You have to make this request in writing.  You must tell us the reasons you want to make these changes, and I will decide if it is and if I refuse to do so, I will tell you why within 60 days. 

• Right to a Copy of This Notice – If you received the paperwork electronically, you have a copy in your email.  If you completed this paperwork in the office at your first session a copy will be provided to you per your request or at any time.

• Right to an Accounting – You generally have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI regarding you.  On your request, I will discuss with you the details of the accounting process.

• Right to Choose Someone to Act for You – If someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information; I will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before I take any action. 

• Right to Choose – You have the right to decide not to receive services with me.  If you wish, I will provide you with names of other qualified professionals. 

• Right to Terminate – You have the right to terminate therapeutic services with me at any time without any legal or financial obligations other than those already accrued.  I ask that you discuss your decision with me in session before terminating or at least contact me by phone letting me know you are terminating services.

• Right to Release Information with Written Consent – With your written consent, any part of your record can be released to any person or agency you designate.  Together, we will discuss whether or not I think releasing the information in question to that person or agency might be harmful to you.

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• I am required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with a notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI.  I reserve the right to change the privacy policies and practices described in this notice.  Unless I notify you of such changes, however, I am required to abide by the terms currently in effect.  If I revise my policies and procedures, I will provide you with a revised notice in office during our session.

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