Your privacy is an essential part of thoughtful, professional care.
PHIPrivate · Personal · Protected
01 / Our commitment
A plain-language overview
Information handled with care.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provides safeguards designed to protect patient privacy. HIPAA requirements officially took effect on April 14, 2003, although many of these privacy practices have long been part of the way Accent On You cares for patients.
This page is a friendly summary of the practice’s policies. A more complete notice is available in the office.
What this means
Necessary access. Responsible boundaries.
HIPAA establishes rules about who may see or be notified of your Protected Health Information, commonly called PHI. These restrictions allow the normal exchange of information needed to provide office services and quality professional care while recognizing your rights as a patient.
Patient information is kept confidential except as necessary to provide services and handle administrative matters related to your care. This may include appropriate information sharing with other healthcare providers, laboratories, and health insurance payers.
During the normal course of care, patient records may be present temporarily in administrative or clinical areas. Records are not made available to anyone other than authorized office staff. By receiving care, patients acknowledge the office’s normal procedures for handling charts, patient records, Protected Health Information, and related documents.
02
Appointment and practice communications
The office may remind patients of appointments by telephone, email, U.S. mail, another convenient method, or a method requested by the patient. The practice may also share communications about office-policy changes or new technology that may be valuable or informative.
03
Business associates and vendors
The practice uses vendors in the normal conduct of business. Vendors that may have access to Protected Health Information must agree to follow HIPAA confidentiality requirements.
04
Required review and inspection
Government agencies or insurance payers may inspect the office or review documents—including documents containing Protected Health Information—while performing their authorized duties.
05
Privacy questions and concerns
Patients are encouraged to bring privacy concerns or complaints to the attention of the office manager or physician.
06
Marketing and advertising
Confidential patient information will not be used to market or advertise products, goods, or services.
07
Access to medical records
Patients will be provided access to their records in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
08
Changes to these provisions
The practice may change, add, remove, or modify these provisions to better serve the needs of both the practice and its patients.
09
Requests for restrictions
Patients may request restrictions on the use of their Protected Health Information and may request changes to certain office policies concerning that information. The practice is not obligated to alter its internal policies to conform to every request.
Privacy questions or concerns
We are here to help you understand.
Please bring any concern about the privacy of your health information to the office manager or your physician.
