HIPAA Notification

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

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.

On the last page of this document is the name and phone number of the Facility Privacy Officer should you have questions about your privacy rights. You will also find the effective date of this document.

WHO WILL FOLLOW THIS NOTICE
This notice describes our hospital's practices and that of (1) any healthcare professional authorized to enter information into your hospital chart; (2) all departments and units of the hospital; (3) any member of a volunteer group we allow to assist you while you are in the hospital; and (4) all employees, staff and hospital personnel.)

MEDICAL INFORMATION
Each time you visit a hospital, physician, or other provider of health care, a record is made of your visit. We need this information to provide you with quality care and to comply with the law. Your health record is the physical property of the healthcare provider that compiles it; however, the information belongs to you. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and we are committed to doing so. We will abide by the terms of this notice as required by federal law.

HOW WE USE AND DISCLOSE MEDICAL INFORMATION
Treatment - Medical information is used to provide you with medical treatment. This information may be disclosed to physicians, nurses, and other individuals who are involved in your care. Departments of the hospital may share information about you to coordinate the things you need, such as prescription drugs, lab tests and X-rays.

For example, a physician treating you for a broken bone will need to know if you are diabetic as this may slow the healing process. The physician may need to tell the dietitian about the diabetes so appropriate meals can be provided.

Payment - We use and disclose medical information about you so that we can bill and collect payment. This could include an insurance company or a third party. If you are covered by health insurance your health plan may need information from us about a surgery or other procedure you had, or will have, before they will pay us. We may disclose information about you for the payment activities of another healthcare provider.

Health Care Operations - Your medical information may be used or disclosed for purposes of our day-to-day operations. These activities are necessary to operate the hospital and to monitor the quality of care our patients receive. Examples would include to assess your satisfaction with our services; remind you of appointments; to tell you of possible treatment alternatives; evaluation of the treatment you received by our staff; to work with health oversight organizations which would include audits, investigations, inspections and licensure; and to combine information about you with other patients to determine what additional services should be provided.

Clergy - In accordance with the law, we may disclose your name, location in the facility, religious affiliation and general condition to members of the clergy, but only if you have not objected to this information being released.

The Palestine Regional Privacy Office may be contacted at 903-731-1175.