Privacy Practices
Notice of Privacy, Confidentiality
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.
OUR OBLIGATIONS
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of protected health information
- Give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy
practices regarding health information about you
- Follow the terms of our notice that are currently in effect
HOW WE MAY USE; AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION
The following list describes how we may use and disclose health information that identifies you. Except for the following purposes, we will use and disclose health information only with your written permission. You may revoke such permission at any time by writing to the Director of the Department of Student Health Services.
- Treatment: We may disclose health information to doctors, nurses, technicians or other personnel, including people outside our office who are involved in your medical care and need the information to provide you with medical services.
- Payment: We may give your health plan information so that they will pay for your treatment.
- Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose information to make sure the medical services you are receiving are of the highest quality. We also may share information with other entities that have a relationship with you for their health care operations activities.
- Appointment Reminders, Treatment Alternatives and Health-Related Benefits and Services: We may use and disclose health information to contact you and to remind you that you have an appointment with us. We also may use and disclose health information to tell you about treatment alternatives or health- related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.
- Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care: When appropriate, we may share health information wit ha person who is involved in your medical care or payment for your care, such as your family or a close friend. We also may notify your family about your location or general condition or disclose such information to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort.
- Research: Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose health information for research. For example, a research project may involve comparing the health of patients who received one treatment to those who received another for the same condition.
Before we use or disclose health information for research, the project will go through a special approval process. Even without special approval, we may permit researchers to look at records to help them identify patients who may be included in their research project or for other similar purposes, as long as they do not remove or take a copy of any health information.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
*As Required by Law: We will disclose health information when required to do so by international, federal, state or local law.
*To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety: We may use and disclose health information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. Disclosures, however, will be made only to someone who may be able to help prevent the threat.
*Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order. We also may disclose health information for the defense of medical professional liability claims asserted by patients, 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 about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.
YOUR RIGHTS
Although your health record is the physical property of Spelman College Department of Student Health Services, you have the right to:
*Right to Inspect and Copy: You have a right to inspect and copy health information that may be used to make decisions about your care or payment for your care. You must make a written request to the Department of Student Health Services to obtain a copy of your health record.
*Right to Amend: You have the right to request that we amend your PHI . Your request must be in writing and detail why the information should be amended. We may deny your request under certain circumstances. Your PHI will not be deleted or changed.
*Restriction: You have the right to request that we place additional restrictions on our use or disclosure of your PHI . We are not required to agree to these additional restrictions, but if we do, we will abide by your agreement (except in case of emergency).
*Request Confidential Communication: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location.You must direct your written request to the Health Services Director. Your request must specify the alternative means or location. We reserve the right to contact you by other means and at other locations if you fail to respond to any communication from us that requires a response.
QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS
If you want more information about our privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please contact us.
If you are concerned that we may have violated your privacy rights or you disagree with a decision we made about access to your PHI , you may complain to us using the contact information listed below. Additionally, if you have requested to amend or restrict the use or disclosure of your PHI or to have us communicate with you by alternative means or at alternative locations, you may complain to us using the contact information listed below. You also may submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will provide you with the address to file your complaint if you desire to do so.
You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
Student Health Services Privacy Official: Brenda Dalton
Telephone: (404) 270-5245 Fax: (404) 270-5257
Address: 350 Spelman Lane , MacVicar Hall Box 1683 , Atlanta , GA 30314
Authorization to Release Medical Information Form (PDF)