Notice of Privacy Practices
HOA Cancer Center
THIS NOTICE, WHICH IS EFFECTIVE AS OF APRIL 14, 2003, DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY
The doctors and staff here at HOA Cancer Center believe your medical information should remain confidential. The law requires us to establish office policies that are designed to safeguard your health information. The information contained in this notice constitutes our promise to you that we acknowledge our legal obligation to protect your health information, and it describes your rights concerning our use of your health information.
We will use and disclose your health information for purposes of treatment, payment and/or health care operations.
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Treatment means the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services by one or more health care providers, including the coordination or management of health care by a health care provider with a third party; consultation between health care providers relating to a patient; or the referral of a patient for health care from one health care provider to another. For example, a consultation follow up letter from a specialist to your primary care physician would be medical information maintained for treatment purposes.
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Payment means activities undertaken by a covered health care provider or health plan to obtain or provide reimbursement for the provision of health care. For example, the medical information furnished to your insurance company so that we may be paid for our services is considered information maintained for payment purposes.
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Health Care Operations includes certain activities of the practice, as well as activities of an organized health care arrangement in which we participate, including: quality assessment and improvement activities, reviews of the competence or qualifications of health care professionals, activities related to underwriting or premium rating of insurance contracts, activities related to legal or accounting services provided to the practice, and business management and planning. For example, from time to time hospitals and insurance companies will review physicians' clinical skills in order to assure that quality care is being provided. When such reviews are conducted, it is often necessary for the reviewer to randomly select and examine patients' medical records.
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We are permitted or required to disclose limited health information about you, without your authorization, in the following circumstances:
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As required by law so long as it is limited to the relevant requirements of such law.
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For public health activities, including the prevention and control of disease, vital statistics, and public health investigations.
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For purposes of making required reports about victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
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Health oversight activities, including audits, civil, criminal or administrative investigations, proceedings or actions; inspections; licensure or disciplinary actions.
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Judicial and administrative proceedings, in response to court orders.
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Law enforcement purposes (i.e., reports of gunshot wounds; grand jury subpoenas; and information regarding victims of crime).
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To coroners, medical examiners and funeral directors
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