You have some choices in the way that we use and share information as we:

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.

In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:

• Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care
• Share information in a disaster relief situation

If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.

In the following instances, we never share your information unless you give us written permission:

• Marketing purposes

Sale of your information

We may use and share your information as we:

Treat you

We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.

Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health condition.

Run our organization

We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary.

Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services.

Bill for your services

We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.

Example: We give information about you to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your services.

How else can we use or share your health information?

We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html

Help with public health and safety issues

We can share health information about you for certain situations such as:

• Preventing disease
• Helping with product recalls
• Reporting adverse reactions to medications
• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety

Do research

We can use or share your information for health research.

Comply with the law

We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law.

Respond to organ and tissue donation requests

We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.

Work with a medical examiner or funeral director

We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.

Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests

We can use or share health information about you:

• For workers’ compensation claims
• For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
• With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
• For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services

Respond to lawsuits and legal actions

We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena.

Business Associates

In some cases our organization uses third parties, or business associates, to provide services that may require the disclosure of our patients’ health information, for example translator services and billing services. Business associates are required by contract and by law to implement appropriate safeguards to protect your health information.

Via Electronic health record (s)

Palmeira uses technology that allows us to create, maintain and share our patients’ health information among Palmeira personnel as well as with other community health care providers and various insurance companies. We may share your health information electronically with physicians or other providers participating in your care and/or with your insurance carrier as part of coordinating your treatment or facilitating the payment of services. Information related to HIV, substance abuse, and other sensitive diagnoses could be shared with these covered entities if part of your record. From time to time, other health care providers grant Palmeira access to their Electronic Health records for the coordination of care. Your records could be accessed in another provider’s EHR or received electronically to coordinate your care. As with other forms of information, we are required to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ electronic health information to the fullest extent of the law at all times. If you have any questions or concerns about the sharing or exchange of your information, please discuss them with your provider or with Palmeira administration.

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
• We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
• We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of this notice.
• We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.

For more information see: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.

 

We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.

To Contact Us:

This Notice of Privacy Practices applies to Palmeira Health Services and its operating subsidiaries. For more information or to lodge a complaint, please contact:

Palmeira Health Services
1028 W. Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868

(714) 406-2025
(844) 472-5634
(844) 333-0623 Fax