Expansive Therapy

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

I. OUR PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION
The Practice understands that health information about you and your health care is personal. The Practice is committed to protecting that information. The Practice creates a record of the care and services you receive. This record is necessary to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all records of your care generated by this mental health care practice.

This notice describes the ways in which The Practice may use and disclose health information about you. It also outlines your rights to the health information The Practice maintains about you, and the obligations The Practice has regarding the use and disclosure of your health information. The Practice is required by law to:

• Ensure that protected health information (“PHI”) that identifies you is kept private.

• Provide you with this notice of legal duties and privacy practices.

• Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

The Practice reserves the right to change the terms of this Notice. Such changes will apply to all information held at that time. The new Notice will be available upon request, in the office, and on the Practice's website.

II. HOW THE PRACTICE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
The following categories describe different ways in which The Practice is permitted to use and disclose your health information. While not every possible use or disclosure is listed, all fall within one of the following categories:

For Treatment, Payment, or Health Care Operations:
Federal privacy rules allow health care providers to use or disclose PHI without your written authorization to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations. The Practice may also disclose your PHI for the treatment activities of other health care providers. For example, if a clinician consults with another provider about your condition, your PHI may be used or disclosed to support diagnosis or treatment. Disclosures for treatment are not limited to the "minimum necessary" standard, as full access is required to ensure quality care.

Lawsuits and Disputes:
If you are involved in a lawsuit, The Practice may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order. The Practice may also disclose health information in response to a subpoena or lawful process, but only after reasonable efforts have been made to notify you or obtain a protective order.

III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
Psychotherapy Notes:
The Practice may keep “psychotherapy notes” as defined by law. Use or disclosure of such notes requires your Authorization unless it is:
a. For treatment purposes.
b. For training or supervision of mental health practitioners.
c. For defense in legal proceedings.
d. For compliance investigations by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
e. Required by law.
f. For health oversight activities related to the originator of the notes.
g. By a coroner performing legal duties.
h. To avert a serious health or safety threat.

Marketing and Sale of PHI:
The Practice will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes or sell your PHI in the regular course of business.

IV. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
The Practice may use or disclose your PHI without Authorization for reasons including:

• Legal compliance.

• Public health activities (e.g., abuse reporting, safety concerns).

• Health oversight (e.g., audits).

• Judicial or administrative proceedings.

• Law enforcement (e.g., reporting crimes on premises).

• Coroners or medical examiners.

• Research (e.g., comparing treatment outcomes).

• Specialized government functions (e.g., military, security).

• Workers’ compensation.

• Appointment reminders and treatment alternatives.

V. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
PHI may be disclosed to a family member or other individual involved in your care or payment, unless you object. In emergencies, your consent may be obtained afterward.

VI. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI

• Right to Request Limits: You may request restrictions on certain disclosures. The Practice is not required to agree.

• Right to Restrict for Self-Paid Services: You may restrict disclosures for services paid out-of-pocket in full.

• Right to Confidential Communication: You can request alternative contact methods, and The Practice will comply with reasonable requests.

• Right to Access: You may access or request copies of your PHI, excluding psychotherapy notes. A reasonable fee may apply.

• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of non-routine disclosures made in the past six years.

• Right to Amend: You may request corrections to your PHI. The Practice may deny requests but will explain the reason in writing.

• Right to a Copy of This Notice: You may request a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS NOTICE: 01/01/2020