Atlanta Weight Loss and Hrt
Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: 7-23-2024
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.
At Atlanta Weight Loss and HRT, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal health information. This Notice of Privacy Practices (the "Notice") describes how we may use and disclose your health information and your rights regarding such information.
1. Our Responsibilities
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We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI).
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We will inform you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
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We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and provide you with a copy of it.
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We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
2. Uses and Disclosures of Your Health Information
We may use or disclose your health information for various purposes, as described below:
A. For Treatment
We may use and share your health information with other healthcare providers who are treating you. This includes sharing information with doctors, nurses, specialists, and other health professionals involved in your care.
B. For Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to bill and receive payment from health plans or other entities. For example, we may share your information with your health insurance company to obtain prior authorization for treatment or to receive payment for the services we provide.
C. For Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your health information for our healthcare operations. These uses and disclosures are necessary to run our practice and ensure that all our patients receive quality care. Examples include quality assessment and improvement activities, employee reviews, training of medical students, and business planning and management.
D. With Your Authorization
We may use or disclose your health information for purposes not listed in this notice only with your written authorization. You have the right to revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
E. Other Permitted or Required Uses and Disclosures
We may use or disclose your health information in other situations without your authorization, as permitted or required by law, including:
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As Required by Law: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.
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Public Health and Safety: To prevent or control disease, report abuse or neglect, and for other health oversight activities.
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Law Enforcement and Legal Proceedings: In response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons, or similar process.
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Research: For research purposes, under certain circumstances, provided that privacy protections are in place.
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To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety: To prevent a serious and imminent threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of others.
3. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights regarding your health information:
A. Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information, including medical and billing records, that we maintain. To access your information, you must submit a written request to our Privacy Officer. We may charge a fee for the cost of copying, mailing, or other supplies associated with your request.
B. Right to Amend
If you believe that the health information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment. Your request must be made in writing and include a reason for the amendment. We may deny your request if the information was not created by us, is not part of the information you are permitted to inspect and copy, or is accurate and complete.
C. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information. This list will not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, or disclosures made with your authorization.
D. Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction on how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to your request, but if we do agree, we will comply unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency treatment.
E. Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you may ask that we contact you only at work or by mail. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
F. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically.
4. Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our website.
5. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with us, contact our Privacy Officer at the contact information provided below. All complaints must be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
6. Contact Information
For questions about this Notice, to file a complaint, or to exercise your rights described in this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer:
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Privacy Officer: Atlanta Weight Loss and HRT
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Phone: (678) 653-3146
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Address: P.O. Box 1163, Dacula GA, 30019