Privacy Policy

This notice informs you of how information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.

Our commitment to your privacy:

As required by law, this practice is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your personal health information. The information that you provide and/or that others provide on your behalf, will mainly be used to provide you with treatment, to arrange payment for our services or for some other business activities which are called, in the law, healthcare operations. After you have read this you will be asked to sign a consent form to let this practice use and share your information. If you do not sign this form this practice cannot treat you. If for any other purposes, this practice, wishes to use or disclose your information, it will be discussed with you first and an Authorization will be signed to allow this communication and sharing of information to take place. Of course, this practice will keep your health information private but there are some times when the laws require us to use or share it such as:

1. When there is a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another individual or the public. This practice will only share information with a person or organization who is able to help prevent or reduce threat.

2. Some lawsuits and legal court proceedings.

3. If a law enforcement official requires it.

4. For Workers Compensation and similar benefit programs. There are some other situations like these but which are rare. They are described in a longer version of this notice at this practice. Your rights regarding your health information

1. You can ask that you be communicated with, about your health and related issues, in a particular way or at a certain place. For example, you could ask that you be called at home and not at work to schedule or cancel an appointment.

2. You have the right to ask this practice to limit what is told to certain individuals involved in your care, such as your family and friends. While this practice does not have to agree with your request, if agreed upon, this practice will keep the agreement except if it is against the law, or in an emergency, or when the information is necessary to treat you.

3. You have a right to look at the health information in this practice’s files regarding your medical and billing records. You can obtain a copy of these records for a nominal fee.

4. If you believe that the information in your records is incorrect or incomplete, you can ask that changes be made, which is called “amending” to your health record. You must make this request in writing which describes your reasons for wanting to make changes.

5. You have a right to a copy of this notice. If this notice is changed, the updated version will be posted in the waiting room.

6. You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You can file a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints must be in writing. Filing a complaint will not jeopardize and/or change the health care this practice provides you.

If you have any questions regarding this notice or this practice’s health information privacy policies, please discuss with Jennifer Bettersworth, LMFT, whom can be reached at: 

270-202-5876.

The effective date of this notice is March 1, 2018.