HIPAA Policy

HOW WE USE AND SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

WITH YOUR PERMISSION

We will ask for your written permission before using or sharing your information, except in the situations listed below. You can cancel this permission at any time by writing to us.

WITHOUT NEEDING YOUR PERMISSION

For Your Treatment

• Sharing information with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare providers involved in your care

• Coordinating your care between different providers

• Providing treatment recommendations

For Payment

• Billing you or your insurance company

• Determining insurance coverage

• Collection activities for unpaid bills

For Healthcare Operations

• Quality improvement activities

• Staff training and education

• Business planning and management

• Legal compliance activities

WHEN REQUIRED BY LAW

We may share your information without your permission when required by law:

Public Health and Safety

• Preventing or controlling disease outbreaks

• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence

• Preventing serious threats to health or safety

Legal Proceedings

• Court orders or subpoenas

• Law enforcement investigations

• Workers' compensation claims

Government Functions

• Military and national security activities

• Correctional institutions

• Medical examiner investigations

Research

• Approved research studies (with strict safeguards)

• De-identified information for research purposes

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Psychotherapy Notes: We do not maintain separate psychotherapy notes as defined by federal law. Our treatment records are available to you upon request.

Marketing: We will never sell your information or use it for marketing without your written permission.

Family and Friends: We may share information with family members or friends involved in your care if:

• You give us permission, OR

• You don't object when we ask, OR

• In an emergency, we believe it's in your best interest