Patient Privacy Policy, Killeen TX

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides safeguards to protect your privacy.  Implementation of HIPPA requirements officially began on April 14, 2003.  Many of the policies have been our practice for years.  This form is a “friendly” version. 

What this is all about:  Specifically, there are rules and restrictions on who may see or be notified of your Protected Health Information (PHI).  These restrictions do not include the normal interchange of information necessary to provide you with office services.  HIPAA provides certain rights and protections to you as the patient.  We balance these needs with our goal of providing you with the quality professional service and care.  Additional information is available from the US Department of Health and Human Services:  www.hhs.gov

We have adopted the following policies:

1.  Patient information will be kept confidential except as is necessary to provide services or to ensure that all administrative matters related to your care are handled appropriately.  This specifically includes the sharing of information with other healthcare providers, laboratories, and health insurance payers as necessary for your care. 

2.  It is the policy of our office to remind patients of their appointments.  We may do this by telephone, e-mail, or by any means convenient for you.  We may send you other communications informing you of changes to office policy and new technology that you might find valuable or informative. 

3.  We utilize a number of vendors in the conduct of business which may also require access to your PHI however; they are also bound to the HIPAA policies listed as well.

4.  You understand and agree to inspections of our office and review of documents which may include PHI by government agencies or insurance payers in normal performance of their duties. 

5.  You agree to bring any concerns or complaints regarding privacy to the attention of the clinical director or the doctor. 

6.  Your confidential information will not be used for the purposes of marketing or advertising of products, goods, or services.

7.  We agree to provide you with access of your records in accordance with state and federal laws.

8.  We may change, add, delete, or modify any of these provisions to better serve the needs of both the office and the patient. 

9.  You have the right to request restrictions in the use of your protected health information and to request change in certain policies used within the office concerning your PHI however; we are not obligated to alter internal policies to conform to your request. 

Call us at 254-526-5667 for more information.