To The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
We may disclose your health information to HHS, the government agency responsible for overseeing compliance with federal privacy law and regulations regulating the privacy and security of health information.
For Research
We may use or disclose your health information for research, subject to conditions. “Research” means systemic investigation designed to contribute to generalized knowledge.
In Connection With Your Death or Organ Donation
We may disclose your health information to a coroner for identification purposes, to a funeral director for funeral purposes, or to an organ procurement organization to facilitate transplantation of one of your organs.
If applicable State law does not permit the disclosure described above, we will comply with the stricter State law.
Authorization to Use or Disclose
Health Information
We are required to obtain your written authorization in the following circumstances: (a) to use or disclose psychotherapy notes (except when needed for payment purposes or to defend against litigation filed by you); (b) to use your PHI for marketing purposes; (c) to sell your PHI; and (d) to use or disclose your PHI for any purpose not previously described in this Notice. We also will obtain your authorization before using or disclosing your PHI when required to do so by(a) state law, such as laws restricting the use or disclosure of genetic information or information concerning HIV status; or (b) other federal law, such as federal law protecting the confidentiality of substance abuse records. You may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
PATIENT RIGHTS
You have the following rights related to your health information.
Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations in addition to the restrictions imposed by federal law. Our office is not required to agree to your request, unless (a) you request that we not disclose your PHI to a health insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid for payment or healthcare operations purposes; (b) you, or someone on your behalf, has paid us in full for the healthcare item or service to which the PHI pertains; and (c) we are not required by law to disclose to the insurer, Medicare, or Medicaid the PHI that is the subject of your request, but we will endeavor to honor reasonable requests. We generally are not required to agree to a requested restriction. Our office will honor your request that we not disclose your health information to a health plan for payment or healthcare operation purposes if the health information relates solely to a healthcare item or service for which you have paid us out-of-pocket in full.