HIPAA Privacy Notice
Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.
At Precision Dermatology, protecting the privacy and security of your medical information is extremely important to us. Federal law requires healthcare providers to maintain the confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI) and to explain how that information may be used or shared.
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access your information. Please review it carefully.
What Is HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of patient health information.
HIPAA ensures that healthcare providers safeguard protected health information (PHI) such as:
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Medical records
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Treatment information
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Billing and insurance information
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Personal identifying details related to healthcare
Healthcare providers must follow strict rules regarding how this information is used, stored, and shared.
Accessing or Correcting Your Medical Records
Request a Copy of Your Records
You may request access to your health records or request copies of your medical information.
We typically provide copies or summaries of your records within 30 days of your request. A reasonable cost-based fee may apply.
Request a Correction
If you believe your medical records are incorrect or incomplete, you may request a correction.
We may decline certain requests, but if we do, we will provide a written explanation within 60 days.
Requesting Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way.
For example, you may ask us to:
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Contact you at a specific phone number
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Send mail to an alternate address
We will accommodate reasonable requests, particularly if disclosure could place you at risk.
Requesting Limits on Information Sharing
You may ask us to limit how we use or share certain health information for:
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Treatment
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Payment
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Healthcare operations
While we will consider your request, we may not always be able to comply if doing so would affect your care.
Accounting of Information Disclosures
You may request a list of times we have shared your health information.
This accounting will include disclosures made within the six years prior to your request, except for disclosures related to treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
One accounting per year is provided free of charge. Additional requests may involve a reasonable fee.
Choosing Someone to Act on Your Behalf
If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person may exercise your privacy rights and make decisions regarding your health information.
We will verify the authority of the individual before granting access.
Your Choices About Information Sharing
For certain situations, you may choose how we share your information.
You have the right to decide whether we share your information with:
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Family members or friends involved in your care
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Individuals involved in payment for your healthcare
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Disaster relief organizations
If you are unable to communicate your preference, we may share information if we believe it is in your best interest.
Situations Where We Will Not Share Your Information Without Permission
We will never share your information for the following purposes without your written authorization:
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Marketing purposes
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Sale of your personal information
How We Use and Share Your Health Information
We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.
Treatment
We may share your health information with medical professionals involved in your care.
Example:
A physician may share diagnostic information with another provider coordinating your treatment.
Healthcare Operations
We may use health information to operate and improve our practice.
Example:
Using patient information to improve services and treatment protocols.
Payment for Healthcare Services
We may share your health information with insurance providers to coordinate payment for services.
Example:
Submitting treatment information to your health insurance plan.
Health Plan Administration
In certain situations, we may provide information to your employer-sponsored health plan for administrative purposes.
Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures
In certain circumstances, the law allows or requires us to share health information for the public good.
These situations include:
Public Health and Safety
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Preventing disease
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Reporting adverse drug reactions
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Reporting suspected abuse or neglect
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Preventing serious health threats
Research
Health information may be used for medical research under strict legal safeguards.
Compliance with the Law
We may share information when required by federal or state law.
Organ and Tissue Donation
Health information may be shared with organ procurement organizations when appropriate.
Law Enforcement and Government Requests
We may share information for:
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Workers’ compensation claims
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Law enforcement purposes
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Health oversight activities
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National security activities
Legal Proceedings
We may share health information in response to court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes.
Our Responsibilities
Precision Dermatology is required by law to:
✔ Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information
✔ Notify you promptly if a data breach compromises your information
✔ Follow the privacy practices described in this notice
✔ Provide you with a copy of this notice upon request
We will not use or share your information outside of these practices unless you give us written permission.
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing.
Changes to This Privacy Notice
We may update the terms of this privacy notice at any time. Changes will apply to all health information we maintain.
The most current version will always be available:
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On our website
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At our office upon request
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By mail upon request
Filing a Privacy Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
You may contact the Office for Civil Rights at:
1-877-696-6775
🌐 www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/
Questions About Privacy?
If you have questions about this privacy notice or how your health information is protected, please contact our office.
Precision Dermatology (830) 890-5181
