Your Rights

The following is a statement of your rights with respect to your protected health information.

You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI
Under federal law, however, you may not inspect or copy the following records; psychotherapy notes; information compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or use in, a civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding, and PHI that is subject to law that prohibits access to PHI.

You have the right to request a restriction of your PHI
This means you may ask us not to use or disclose any part of your PHI for the purposes of treatment, payment or healthcare operations. You may also request that any part of your PHI not be disclosed to family members or friends who may be involved in your care or for notification purposes as described in this Notice of Privacy Practices. Your request must state the specific restriction requested and to whom you want or restriction to apply.

Your physician is not required to agree to a restriction that you may request. If the physician believes it is in your best interest to permit use and disclosure of your PHI, your PHI will not be restricted. You then have the right to use another healthcare professional.

You have the right to request to receive confidential communications from us
This could be by alternative means or at an alternative location. You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this notice from us, upon request, even if you have already agreed to accept this alternative i.e. electronically.

You may have the right to have your physician amend your PHI
If we deny your request for amendment, you have the right to file a statement of disagreement with us and we may prepare a rebuttal to your statement and will provide you with a copy of any such rebuttal.

Disclosure Accounting
You have the right to receive a list of instances since April 14, 2003 in which we or our business associates disclosed your PHI for purposes, other than treatment, payment, health care operations, or as authorized by you, and for certain other activities. If you request this accounting more than once in a 12-month period, we may charge you a reasonable, cost-based fee for responding to these additional requests.

Questions and Complaints
If you want more information about privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please contact us using the information listed at the end of this notice.

If you are concerned that we may have violated your privacy rights, you may complain to us using the contact information listed below. You may also submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; see information at its Web site: www.hhs.gov. If you request, we will provide you with the address to file your complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We support your right to the privacy of your PHI. We will not retaliate in any way if you choose to file a complaint with us or with the Department of Health and Human Services.

This notice takes effect April 14, 2003.