THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
At Academy Orthopedics, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your health information. This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights regarding your health information, and our legal responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This notice is modeled after guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding healthcare provider privacy practices.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
We understand that your medical information is personal. We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- Provide you with this notice explaining our legal duties and privacy practices.
- Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.
- Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
Protected health information includes information that identifies you and relates to your physical or mental health condition, healthcare services received, or payment for healthcare services.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
For Treatment
We may use and share your health information with physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in your care. This helps ensure you receive appropriate diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.
For example, orthopedic specialists treating your injury may share information regarding imaging studies, surgical recommendations, rehabilitation plans, or medication management with other healthcare providers involved in your care.
For Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for healthcare services provided to you.
Examples include:
- Verifying insurance coverage
- Submitting claims to insurance carriers
- Collecting outstanding balances
- Obtaining prior authorizations
- Reviewing eligibility for benefits
For Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose health information for business operations necessary to run our practice and improve patient care.
Examples include:
- Quality improvement activities
- Staff training and education
- Accreditation and licensing requirements
- Compliance programs
- Risk management
- Audits and performance reviews
Appointment Reminders and Communications
We may contact you regarding:
- Upcoming appointments
- Follow-up care instructions
- Treatment alternatives
- Health-related benefits and services
- Billing matters
Communications may occur by phone, voicemail, text message, email, mail, or patient portal unless you request otherwise.
Individuals Involved in Your Care
Unless you object, we may share relevant health information with family members, friends, caregivers, or others involved in your care or payment for your care when appropriate.
Business Associates
We may share information with trusted third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as billing companies, technology providers, transcription services, and legal or accounting professionals. These entities are required by law and contract to safeguard your information.
Special Situations Where We May Disclose Information
Federal and state laws may permit or require us to disclose health information in certain situations without your authorization.
Public Health Activities
We may disclose information for public health purposes, including:
- Disease prevention and control
- Reporting adverse reactions to medications
- Reporting communicable diseases
- Product recalls
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose information to agencies responsible for healthcare oversight, inspections, audits, investigations, and licensure activities.
Legal Proceedings
We may disclose information when required by court orders, subpoenas, administrative proceedings, or other lawful legal processes.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose information to law enforcement officials under circumstances permitted by law.
Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose information as necessary to comply with workers’ compensation laws and related programs.
Research
Under certain circumstances, health information may be used or disclosed for research purposes when approved by applicable review processes and legal requirements.
Serious Threats to Health or Safety
We may disclose information when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to your health or safety or the health and safety of another person.
Organ and Tissue Donation
If applicable, information may be shared with organizations involved in organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation.
Military and National Security Activities
If you are a member of the armed forces or involved in certain government activities, disclosures may be made as required by law.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
Information may be disclosed to identify a deceased individual, determine a cause of death, or perform authorized duties.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your information for purposes not otherwise permitted by law.
Generally, authorization is required for:
- Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes
- Most marketing activities involving your information
- The sale of protected health information
You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent we have already acted on it.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
Right to Inspect and Obtain Copies
You have the right to inspect and obtain copies of your medical records and certain other health information maintained by our practice.
Requests must be submitted in writing. Reasonable fees may apply as permitted by law.
Right to Request Amendments
If you believe information in your medical record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment.
We may deny certain requests if the information is accurate and complete or was not created by our practice.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your protected health information.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
While we are not required to agree to all requests, we will comply with restrictions required by applicable law.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific manner or at a specific location.
For example, you may request that appointment reminders be sent to a different address or phone number.
Right to Receive a Paper Copy
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.
Right to Be Notified of a Breach
You have the right to receive notification if a breach of your unsecured protected health information occurs.
Our Responsibilities
Academy Orthopedics is required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information and to provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. We reserve the right to revise this Notice and make revised terms effective for all protected health information we maintain. Any updated notice will be available on our website and in our offices.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Academy Orthopedics or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
You will not be retaliated against or penalized for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
If you have questions about this Notice, wish to exercise your privacy rights, or would like to file a complaint, please contact:
Academy Orthopedics
504 Valley Road, Suite 101
Wayne, NJ 07470
Phone: (973) 446-7500
Email: info@academyorthopedic.com