Notice of Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Foot Clinic of South Carolina, LLC. is dedicated to protecting the privacy of your personal health information (PHI). We are required by law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), to maintain the confidentiality of your health information and to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
While these regulations are complex, we want to provide you with this important information in a clear and concise manner.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
The following categories describe the different ways that we may use and disclose your health information.
1. For Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations We may use and disclose your health information for the purposes of providing you with treatment, obtaining payment for our services, and conducting our health care operations.
- Treatment: We may share your information with doctors, nurses, or other healthcare personnel involved in your care.
- Payment: We may use your information to bill and collect payment from you, your insurance company, or another third party.
- Health Care Operations: We may use your information for quality assessment, case management, and our own business operations.
2. Special Circumstances and Disclosures Required by Law There are specific situations where we may be required or permitted to use or disclose your health information without your prior authorization. These include:
- Public Health and Safety: To public health authorities for preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability, and to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or that of others.
- Legal Proceedings: In response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, or other lawful process.
- Law Enforcement: As required by a law enforcement official for specific purposes.
- Workers’ Compensation: To comply with Workers’ Compensation laws and other similar legally-established programs.
- Military and Veterans: If you are a member of the U.S. or foreign military forces, we may release information as required by the appropriate military command authorities.
- National Security: To authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.
- Correctional Institutions: If you are an inmate or in the custody of law enforcement, we may disclose information to the correctional institution or official.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights concerning your health information:
- Right to Request Confidential Communications: You can ask us to communicate with you in a specific way or at a certain location (e.g., only at your home phone, not at work). We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
- Right to Request Restrictions: You can request a restriction on our use or disclosure of your health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. You also have the right to restrict disclosures to family or friends involved in your care. We are not required to agree to your request, but if we do, we will honor our agreement except in an emergency or as required by law.
- Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical and billing records. Your request must be submitted in writing to our Office Manager.
- Right to Amend: If you believe your health information is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend it. Your request must be in writing and include a reason to support the change.
- Right to a Copy of This Notice: You are entitled to a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time. Please ask our front desk receptionist for a copy.
- Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our practice or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
- Right to Authorize Other Uses: Any other uses and disclosures not covered in this notice or permitted by law will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke this authorization at any time.
Questions and Complaints
If you have any questions about this notice or wish to file a complaint, please contact our Office Manager:
Attention: Elsa Lindstrom, Office Manager
Practice: Foot Clinic of South Carolina, LLC.
Phone: (864) 281-9171
All complaints must be submitted in writing.