Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Denver Psychiatry is committed to protecting the privacy of your protected health information (PHI). This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your PHI in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the HITECH Act, and applicable state laws. It also describes your rights regarding your health information.

How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI

Treatment

We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your psychiatric care and any related services. For example, we may share information with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment.

Payment

We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for services provided to you. This may include submitting claims to your health insurance plan or verifying coverage.

Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your PHI for our healthcare operations, including quality improvement activities, training, licensing, and other administrative activities.

Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures

We may also use or disclose your PHI without your authorization in the following situations:

• As required by law
• For public health activities
• To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• For health oversight activities
• In response to court orders or legal proceedings
• To law enforcement officials under certain circumstances
• To coroners, funeral directors, or organ procurement organizations
• For research purposes (under specific conditions)
• To avert a serious threat to health or safety
• For specialized government functions (e.g., military, national security)
• For workers' compensation purposes

Psychotherapy Notes

Psychotherapy notes receive special protection under HIPAA. We will not use or disclose psychotherapy notes without your written authorization, except in limited circumstances permitted by law (e.g., to defend against a legal action brought by you, or when required by a court order).

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

For uses and disclosures not described in this Notice, we will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI. You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent that we have already taken action in reliance on the authorization.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

• Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI maintained in our records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.
• Right to Amend: You have the right to request an amendment to your PHI if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
• Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI. We are not required to agree to all requests, but we must agree to restrict disclosures to a health plan for services you paid for in full out of pocket.
• Right to Request Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information in a certain way or at a certain location.
• Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice upon request.
• Right to Be Notified of a Breach: You have the right to be notified if a breach of your unsecured PHI occurs.

Our Duties

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
• We are required to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
• We are required to abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect.
• We will notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your PHI.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice at any time. Any changes will apply to all PHI we maintain. The revised Notice will be available at our office and on our website.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Contact Information

For questions about this Notice or to exercise your rights, please contact: