This Privacy Notice describes how Small Gentle Hands LLC (“we,” “our,” or “us”) may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It also explains your rights and how you can exercise them. Please review this notice carefully.

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Our Commitment to Your Privacy

 

Small Gentle Hands LLC is committed to protecting your PHI, which includes information about your health condition, the care provided, and payment for health services that could identify you. We are required by law to keep your health information private and to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.

 

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

 

1. For Treatment
   We may use your PHI to provide you with healthcare services. For example, we may share your health information with other healthcare providers involved in your care.

2. For Payment
   We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and receive payment for the services provided to you. For instance, we may share information with your health insurance provider for reimbursement purposes.

3. For Healthcare Operations
   We may use your PHI to improve our services, conduct internal audits, and review service quality. This is necessary to ensure we provide the best care possible.

4. As Required by Law
   We will disclose your PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law. This includes cases of suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence and other legal requirements.

5. To Prevent a Serious Threat to Health or Safety
   We may use and disclose your PHI to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of others.

6. Other Uses and Disclosures
   Any other uses and disclosures of PHI will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke this authorization at any time, provided the revocation is in writing, except to the extent that we have taken action in reliance on your authorization.

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Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

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1. Right to Inspect and Copy
   You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information, with some exceptions. This right includes access to medical and billing records.

2. Right to Amend
   If you believe your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. We may deny your request under certain circumstances, but you will be informed of the reason for the denial.

3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
   You have the right to request a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.

4. Right to Request Restrictions
   You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the use or disclosure of your PHI. We are not required to agree to your request, but if we do, we will comply unless the information is needed for emergency treatment.

5. Right to Request Confidential Communications
   You may request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location, and we will accommodate reasonable requests.

6. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
   You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

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Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this Privacy Notice at any time. Any changes will apply to all PHI that we maintain. We will post a copy of the current notice on our website, and a copy will be available upon request.

 

Complaints

 

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with us, please contact us at our office. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.

 

Contact Information

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If you have any questions about this notice or need further assistance regarding your rights, please contact us.