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Your privacy matters to us. The confidentiality of your health information is protected under a set of federal laws known as HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
We don’t ever want you to delay treatment because you’re afraid that your personal health history might be disclosed to others outside our office. Know that we do all that we can to keep your information secure. We share it with others only when absolutely necessary to provide treatment, receive payment or otherwise serve your healthcare needs. Moreover, we share it only when – and with whom – you say we can.
This is why, at your first visit, we ask you to sign a form that tells us your privacy preferences. Any permission you give can be revoked or modified at any time by letting us know in writing.
How Your Health Information May Be Used
To provide you with the best dental care possible
This includes sharing information to coordinate your care among our office staff, as well as with any labs, pharmacies or other healthcare personnel involved in treating you.
To receive payment for treatment
This includes sharing necessary information with your insurance company, such as the information on claims forms mailed or sent electronically.
To improve the quality of our care
This includes use of your health information during performance evaluations and the training of others to provide the optimal Biological care we aim to provide. Your information also may be reviewed during the routine processes of certification, licensing or credentialing, or disclosed during insurance or government audits as part of quality assurance and compliance reviews.
To help those who help you
We may share your health information with those you tell us will be helping you with your home hygiene, treatment, medications or payment.
Required reporting to law enforcement
If we believe a patient is the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence, we will notify the relevant authorities, as required by law or with the patient’s agreement. As allowed or required by law, we may disclose your health information to law enforcement officials when it is necessary to their responsibilities, such as reporting a crime.
Public health and national security
If public health or national security are at risk, we may, as required, disclose health information to federal or military authorities if it is believed such information will protect the general public.
Your Rights
- You may give or take away permission to share your health information at any time. You may ask for restrictions on certain uses of your health information and that we communicate with you in specific ways (e.g. only via sealed and mailed communications or only verbally with no other family members present). Any requests to change your privacy preferences must be made in writing.
- You have the right to read, review and copy your complete health and billing record. (There may be a reasonable fee for copying.) If you believe your records are incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to ask us to update or change them. As long as we created and currently maintain the records, we’ll be glad to do so. Requests must be made in writing and describe your reason for seeking the change. If we didn’t create the records in question or if they are determined to be accurate and complete, your request may be denied.
- You have the right to ask how and where your health information is used by our office for any reason other than for treatment, payment or health operations. We are able to provide records of information usage from April 14, 2004 forward. Requests must be made in writing and let us know the time period you’re interested in. There may be a reasonable fee involved in fulfilling your request.
- You have the right to obtain a complete copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices directly from our office at any time. Stop by or give us a call and we will mail or e-mail a copy to you. You can also ask for a copy by e-mail.
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice. If we do change our privacy practices, all patients will be notified in writing.
If you have any questions or concerns about the privacy of your health information, just ask.
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