NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES FOR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

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 PLEDGE REGARDING MEDICAL INFORMATION:

We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting medical information about you. We create a record of the care and services you receive at VenusIV. We need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by VenusIV. 

This notice will tell you about the ways in which VenusIV may use and disclose medical information about you. We also describe your rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of medical information.

We are required by law to:

• make sure that medical information that identifies you is kept private (with certain exceptions);

• give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to medical information about you; and, 

• follow the terms of this notice

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:

The following categories describe different ways that we use and disclose medical information.  For each category of uses or disclosures we will explain what we mean and try to give some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.

Disclosure at Your Request.

We may disclose information when requested by you. You must submit your request in writing.

For Treatment

We may use medical information about you to provide you with medical treatment or services.  We may disclose medical information about you to doctors, nurses or technicians who are involved the care provided to you by VenusIV.

For Payment.

We may use and disclose medical information about you so that the treatment and services you receive may be billed to and payment may be collected from you.

Appointment Reminders.

We may use and disclose medical information to contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment for treatment or care. 

Treatment Alternatives.

We may use and disclose medical information to tell you about or recommend possible treatment options or alternatives that may be of interest to you.

As Required By Law.

We will disclose medical information about you when required to do so by federal, state or local law.

To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety.

We may use and disclose medical information about you when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. Any disclosure, however, would only be to someone able to help prevent the threat.

Lawsuits and Disputes.

If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose medical information about you in response to a court or administrative order. We may also disclose medical information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you or your attorney about the request (which may include written notice to you). You may then obtain a motion to protect your information.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:

You have the following rights regarding medical information we maintain about you:

Right to Inspect and Copy.

You have the right to inspect and copy medical information that may be used to make decisions about your care.  To inspect and obtain a copy of medical information that may be used to make decisions about you, you must submit your request in writing.  If you request a copy of the information, we may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing or other supplies associated with your request. 

Right to Amend.

If you feel that medical information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by. To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing. In addition, you must provide a reason that supports your request.  We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. In addition, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that:

• was not created by us. Exception: if the person who created the information is unavailable to act on your request to amend it, we may consider your request if we can verify this information. For example, the doctor who originally created the information has died and you have no other way to obtain the amendment;

• is not part of the medical information kept by or for VenusIV;

• is not part of the information which you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or

• is accurate and complete.

Even if we deny your request for amendment, you have the right to submit a written addendum, (to Health Information Management) not to exceed 250 words, with respect to any item or statement in your record you believe is incomplete or incorrect. If you clearly indicate in writing that you want the addendum to be made part of your medical record we will attach it to your records and include it whenever we make a disclosure of the item or statement you believe to be incomplete or incorrect.

Right to Request Restrictions.

You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the medical information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or health care operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the medical information we disclose about you to someone who is involved in 

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice.

You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. You may obtain a copy of this notice at our website, www.VenusIV.com If you received this notice via email or reviewed it on our website, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice.