This notice describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can gain access to your individually identifiable health information.
A. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Aurora Primary Care (the Practice or We), is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your personally identifiable, protected health information (PHI). In conducting our business, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we provide to you. We strive to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you. This notice explains the privacy practices that we maintain concerning your PHI. The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your PHI that are created or retained by the Practice. We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment to this notice will affect all of your records that our Practice has created or maintained in the past and any records of yours that we may create or maintain in the future. You may request a copy of our most current notice at any time.
B. If You Have Questions About This Notice, Please Contact
Aurora Primary Care
Attn: Privacy Officer
9707 Medical Center Drive, Suite 230
Rockville, MD 20850
C. We May Use and Disclose Your PHI in the Following Ways
The following categories describe the different ways in which we may use and disclose your PHI, unless you object:
1. Treatment. Our Practice may use your PHI in the course of your treatment. For example, we may ask you to have laboratory tests (such as blood or urine tests), and we may use the results to help us reach a diagnosis. We might use your PHI to write a prescription for you, or we might disclose your PHI to a pharmacy when we order a prescription for you. Our staff may use or disclose your PHI to treat you or to assist others in your treatment. Additionally, we may disclose your PHI to others who may assist in your care, such as other healthcare providers, your spouse, your children, or your parents.
2. Payment. Our Practice may use and disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for the services and products you may receive from us. We do not participate or bill insurance, so we do not disclose your information for the purpose of being reimbursed by insurance. However, we may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment from those who may be responsible for such costs, such as family members.
3. Health Care Operations. The Practice may use and disclose your PHI to operate our business. For example, we may use your PHI to evaluate the quality of care you received from us, to develop protocols and clinical guidelines, to develop training programs, or to aid in credentialing and medical review.
4. Appointment Reminders. The Practice may use and disclose your PHI to contact you and remind you of an appointment.
5. Release of Information to Family/Friends. The Practice may release your PHI when necessary, to a friend or family member involved in your care.
6. Disclosures Required by Law. The Practice will use and disclose your PHI when we are required to do so by federal, state, or local law or regulation.
D. Use and Disclosure of Your PHI in Certain Special Circumstances
The following categories describe unique scenarios in which we may use or disclose your PHI:
1. Health Oversight Activities. The Practice may disclose your PHI to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, including investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licensure, and disciplinary actions.
2. Lawsuits and Similar Proceedings. The Practice may use and disclose your PHI in response to a court or administrative order if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding, or in response to a discovery request, subpoena, or other lawful process.
3. Law Enforcement. We may release PHI if required to do so by a law enforcement official regarding a crime victim, criminal conduct, or in response to a warrant, summons, court order, or similar legal process.
4. Deceased Patients. The Practice may release PHI to a medical examiner or coroner to identify a deceased individual or to identify the cause of death.
5. Organ and Tissue Donation. If you are an organ donor, the Practice may release your PHI to organizations that handle organ, eye, or tissue procurement or transplantation.
6. Serious Threats to Health or Safety. The Practice may use and disclose your PHI when necessary to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or that of another individual or the public.
7. Military. The Practice may disclose your PHI if you are a member of U.S. or foreign military forces and if required by the appropriate authorities.
8. Workers Compensation. The Practice may release your PHI if required for workers compensation and similar programs.
E. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
The health and billing records we maintain are the physical property of the Practice. The information in it, however, belongs to you. You have a right to:
1. Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that our Practice communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location. To request a specific type of confidential communication, you must make a written request to the Privacy Officer.
2. Request Restrictions. You have the right to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations. To request a restriction, you must make your request in writing to the Privacy Officer.
3. Inspection and Copies. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the PHI that may be used to make decisions about you and your care, including your billing and medical records. To do so, submit your request in writing to the Privacy Officer.
4. Amendment. You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. Your request must be made in writing and submitted to the Privacy Officer with a supporting reason.
5. Paper Copy of This Notice. You may receive a paper copy of our notice of privacy practices at any time by contacting the Privacy Officer.
6. Filing a Complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a written complaint with our Practice by contacting the Privacy Officer at the address above. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
7. Right to Provide an Authorization for Other Uses and Disclosures. Our Practice will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law. You have the right to revoke your authorization at any time by sending a written notice to the Privacy Officer.