HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

MyPainDr is committed to protecting the privacy of your health information. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI), provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use and disclose your health information for the following purposes:

1. Treatment

We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. Examples include:

• Sharing information with specialists or other healthcare providers involved in your care
• Coordinating with laboratories, imaging centers, and pharmacies
• Consulting with other healthcare professionals about your treatment
• Providing prescriptions and treatment plans

2. Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we provide. Examples include:

• Submitting claims to your insurance company
• Verifying insurance coverage and benefits
• Billing and collection activities
• Utilization review and pre-authorization

3. Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your health information for our healthcare operations. Examples include:

• Quality assessment and improvement activities
• Provider performance evaluation
• Training and education programs
• Business planning and management
• Customer service and appointment reminders

4. Business Associates

We may disclose your health information to business associates who perform services on our behalf. These entities are required by contract to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

5. Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures

We may use or disclose your health information without your authorization for:

• Public Health Activities: Reporting disease, injury, or vital statistics to public health authorities
• Health Oversight: Audits, investigations, or inspections by health oversight agencies
• Legal Proceedings: Responding to court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
• Law Enforcement: Complying with law enforcement requests as required by law
• Workers' Compensation: Disclosures for workers' compensation programs
• Abuse and Neglect: Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• Serious Threats: Preventing or lessening serious and imminent threats to health or safety
• Coroners and Medical Examiners: Identifying deceased persons or determining cause of death
• Research: For approved research studies with appropriate safeguards

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your health information for purposes other than those described above. This includes:

• Marketing communications (other than face-to-face or promotional gifts)
• Sale of your health information
• Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes
• Other uses not described in this notice

You may revoke your authorization at any time by providing written notice to our Privacy Officer. The revocation will not affect disclosures already made in reliance on your authorization.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the following rights with respect to your protected health information:

1. Right to Inspect and Copy

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information maintained in our medical and billing records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing costs. We may deny your request in certain limited circumstances.

2. Right to Amend

If you believe your health information is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that we amend it. We may deny your request if the information was not created by us, is not part of our records, or is already accurate and complete.

3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to request an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information made by us during the six years prior to your request.

4. Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to your request, but if we do, we will comply with it except in emergency situations.

5. Right to Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

6. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this notice, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

7. Right to Notification of a Breach

You have the right to be notified if we discover a breach of your unsecured protected health information.

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to our Privacy Officer at the contact information below. We may require you to complete specific forms and provide identification.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:

• Our Privacy Officer (contact information below)
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights

You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this notice. Any revised notice will apply to all health information we maintain, including information created or received before the change. We will post the current notice in our office and on our website.

Contact Information

For questions about this notice, to exercise your rights, or to file a complaint, please contact: