Privacy Policy

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES (HIPAA)

This notice describes how your protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully. Protecting our patients' privacy has always been important to this practice. State and federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires us to inform you of our policy. At Ironwood Counseling and Psychological Services, PLLC we are very careful to keep your health information secure and confidential. This law requires us to continue maintaining your privacy, to give you this notice and to follow the terms of this notice.
 

• Disclosure of your PHI not requiring your authorization
  The law permits us to use or disclose your health information to those involved in your treatment; for example, a review of your file by a specialist doctor whom we may involve in your care.
• We may use or disclose your health information for payment of your services. For example, we may send a report of your progress to your insurance company.
• We may use or disclose your health information for our normal healthcare operations. For example, one of our staff will enter your information into our computer'
• We may share your medical information with our business associates, such as a billing service. We have a written contract with each business associate that requires them to protect your privacy.
• We may use your information to contact you. For example, we may send newsletters or other information. We may also want to call and remind you about your appointments. If you are not home, we may leave this information on your answering service or with the person who answers the telephone. In an emergency, we may disclose your health information to a family member or another person responsible for your care.
•  We may release some or all of your health information when required by law.
   

Disclosure of your PHI requiring your authorization
For uses and disclosures of your protected health information beyond the above excepted purposes, we are required to have your written authorization, except as otherwise required or permitted by law. You have the right to revoke an authorization at any time to stop future uses or disclosures of your information except to the extent that we have already undertaken an action in reliance upon your authorization. Your revocation request must be provided to us in writing.
 

• Examples of uses or disclosures that would require your written authorization include, but are not limited to, the following:
      -  A request to provide your protected health information to a family member, employer, attorney for use     in a civil litigation claim, disability provider, etc.
      - Most uses or disclosures of psychotherapy notes, uses or disclosures of PHI for marketing purposes, and disclosures that constitute a sale of PHI.
      - A request to provide PHI to another individual or facility, where no exception from the written authorization requirement applies.
   

Your health record

Except as described above, this practice will not use or disclose your health information without your prior written authorization. You may request in writing that we not use or disclose your health information as described above. We will let you know if we can fulfill your request. You have the right to know of any uses or disclosures we make with your health information beyond the above normal uses. You will be notified if there is any breach of your PHI that was unsecured.  Additionally:

• You have the right to transfer copies of your health information to another practice. You have the right to see or receive a copy of any of your PHI. Any personal requests for copies of your PHI will be reviewed and responded to by your provider within 30 business days.
• You have the right to request an amendment or change to your health information. Give us your request to make changes in writing. If you wish to include a statement in your file, please give it to us in writing. We may or may not make the changes you request, but will be happy to include your statement in your file. If we agree to an amendment or change, we will not remove or alter earlier documents, but will add new information.
•  You have the right to restrict certain disclosures of your PHI to a health plan if you choose to pay out of pocket in full for our services.
• You have the right to receive a copy of this notice. If we change any of the details of this notice, we will notify you of the changes in writing.
•  You may file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services. However, before filing a complaint, or for more information or assistance regarding your health record, please contact our office using the information above. 
• If this practice is ever sold, your information will become the property of the new owner.
   

You may exercise any of the rights described above in person or by contacting our office at (480) 912-4691 or by fax (480) 912-7317 . Any complaints, requests, or questions must be received in writing. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint. As we will need to contact you from time to time, we will use whatever address or telephone number you prefer.