Elk River Treatment Program Privacy Policy

Notice of Information Practices

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.

Introduction:
As part of your health care, The Elk River Treatment Program (the “Facility”) originates and maintains numerous medical, billing, and other related records which contain information identifying you and describing your health history, symptoms, test results, diagnosis, treatment, and any plans for future care. This notice describes how this information may be used and disclosed by the Facility, as well as your rights and the Facility’s duties with respect to such information.

Your Health Information Rights:
Although all records relating to the treatment you receive at the Facility are the property of the Facility, you have the following rights with respect to your health information:

  • The right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information as provided by 45 C.F.R. 164.522. The Facility is not required to agree to any requested restriction.
  • The right to obtain a copy of this Notice upon request.
  • The right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information as provided in 45 C.F.R. 154.524.
  • The right to amend your health information as provided in C.F.R. 164.526.
  • The right to obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information as provided in 45 C.F.R. 154.528. A Request for Accounting of Disclosures of Health Information must be made on the Facility’s form. Copies of these forms are available at the Facility.
  • The right to receive confidential communications of your health information as provided in 45 C.F.R. 164.522(b), as applicable.

You may exercise any of these rights by contacting the Facility representative: Penny Baker, Director of Clinical Services

Facility Responsibilities:
The Facility is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with a notice as to the Facility’s legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information. The Facility is also required to abide by the terms of this Notice, as it may be revised from time to time. The Facility reserves the right to change the terms of this Notice and to make any revisions to the Notice effective for all your health information that the Facility maintains. Should the Facility change the terms of this Notice, it will either hand-deliver or mail you a revised notice as well as post the revised notice in an area accessible to clients.

For More Information or to Report a Problem:
If you have questions or would like additional information, you may contact Penny Baker at (256) 518-9998. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a Grievance with Rick White, Program Director or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services without fear of retaliation for filing a complaint. All complaints must be in writing.

Use and Disclosure of Your Health Information.
As a general rule, the Facility may use or disclose your health information in the following ways:

Treatment: The Facility will use your health information in the provision and coordination of your healthcare. We may disclose all or any portion of your health information to other health care providers who have a legitimate need for such information in your care and continued treatment. The Facility also may disclose your health information to people outside the Facility who may be involved in your medical case after you leave the Facility, such as family members, clergy, and others used to provide services that are part of your care.

Family/Friends: In certain situations, the Facility may release health information about you to a friend or family member who is involved in your medical care, or to someone who helps pay for your care.

Payment: The Facility may release health information about you for the purposes of determining coverage, billing, claims management, medical data processing, and reimbursement. Your health information may be released to an insurance company, third party payer or other entity (or their authorized representative) involved in the payment of your medical bill and may include copies or excerpts of your medical record which are necessary for payment of your account. For example, a bill sent to a third-party payer may include information that identifies you, your diagnosis, and the services and supplies provided to you.

Routine Healthcare Operations: The Facility may use and disclose your health information during routine healthcare operations, including, but not limited to, quality assurance, utilization review, medical review, internal auditing, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities of the Facility.

Business Associates: The Facility may disclose certain health information about you to business associates. A business associate is an individual or entity under contract with the Facility to perform or assist the Facility in a function or activity which necessitates the use or disclosure of health information. Examples of business associates include, but are not limited to, consultants, accountants, lawyers, medical transcriptionist and third-party billing companies. The Facility requires the business associate to protect the confidentiality of your health information.

Regulatory Agencies: The Facility may disclose your health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, including, but not limited to, licensure, certification, audits, investigations and inspections. These activities are necessary for the government and other health oversight agencies to monitor the healthcare system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights.

Law Enforcement/Litigation: The Facility may disclose your health information for law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to a valid subpoena or court order.

Public Health: As required by law, The Facility may disclose your health information to public health or legal authorities charged with preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability.

Victims of Abuse: The Facility may disclose your health information to government authorities, such as social services authorities or protective agencies, if the Facility reasonably believes that you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.

Required by Law: The Facility will disclose medical information about you when required to do so by law.

Appointment Reminders/Treatment Alternatives: The Facility may contact you to provide appointment reminders or information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.

Avert Threat to Health or Safety: The Facility may disclose health information if the Facility in good faith believes that disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm to an individual or the public.

Government Functions: When appropriate, the Facility may disclose health information to serve certain governmental functions. The entities who may receive this information include, but are not limited to the military, intelligence agencies, and correctional institutions.

Other Uses: Any other uses or disclosures of your health information will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization, in writing, at any time except to the extent that the Facility has relied on your authorization.


Confidentiality of Substance Abuse Treatment Records
:
Federal regulations (42 C.F.R. Part 2) provide special protection for the confidentiality of certain alcohol and drug abuse treatment records. To the extent that the Facility maintains any records or other health information about you that is protected from disclosure by these regulations, the Facility will only disclose such information as permitted by these regulations.

Mental Health Care Treatment Records:
State law and/or regulations may provide special protection for mental health care treatment records. To the extent that the Facility maintains any records or other health information about you that is protected from disclosure by such state law and/or regulations, the Facility will only disclose such information as permitted by state law and/or regulations.

How to Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Privacy Policy Agreement related to our website, please feel free to contact us:

Telephone Number: 256-518-9998

Mailing Address: 4812 Commercial DR. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816


Policy Last Updated: 02/05/2020