Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Boulevard Oaks Counseling Group is committed to protecting the privacy of your protected health information (“PHI”). PHI includes information about your mental health, treatment, and any data that can identify you.
This Notice explains how we may use and disclose your PHI in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and your rights regarding that information.
How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI
1. Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations
We may use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes:
Treatment
To provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care.
Example: consulting with another healthcare provider involved in your care.
Payment
To bill and receive payment for services.
Example: providing information to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Healthcare Operations
For activities that support the operation of our practice.
Example: quality assessment, training, auditing, or compliance reviews.
2. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for any purpose not described in this Notice. Examples include:
- Psychotherapy notes (except as permitted by law)
- Marketing communications
- Sale of PHI
You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing.
3. Uses and Disclosures Allowed or Required by Law Without Your Authorization
We may use or disclose your PHI without your authorization in certain situations, including:
- Safety Concerns: To prevent a serious and imminent threat to you or others.
- Abuse or Neglect: Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
- Court Orders: When required by a court order or legal process.
- Health Oversight Activities: Audits, inspections, or investigations by authorized agencies.
- Public Health Activities: Reporting certain public health information when required.
Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
Right to Access
You may request a copy of your PHI, including records in electronic format.
Right to Amend
If you believe information is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may ask us to limit how your PHI is used or disclosed.
We are not required to agree, except for requests about disclosures to your health plan for services you paid for in full out-of-pocket.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we contact you in a specific way or at a specific location (e.g., via secure email, at a particular mailing address).
Right to an Accounting of Disclosure
You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
Right to a Paper or Electronic Copy of This Notice
You can request a copy of this Notice at any time.
Psychotherapy Notes
Psychotherapy notes receive special protection under HIPAA. These notes are kept separate from your medical record. We will not release psychotherapy notes without your explicit written authorization, except in limited situations required by law.
Website Privacy & Online Communications
If you contact us through our website, email, or contact forms, please be aware:
- Electronic communication may not always be secure.
- Do not include sensitive or clinical information in online forms unless specifically designated as secure.
- Telehealth services follow HIPAA-compliant technology requirements.
How We Protect Your Information
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your PHI, including secure storage, limited access controls, and HIPAA-compliant communication tools.
Changes to This Notice
We may update or revise this Notice at any time. The revised Notice will be posted on our website and available in our office.
For more information about HIPAA or to file a complaint, contact:
US Department of Health & Human Services
200 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775
Or by visiting: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
We will not retaliate for filing a complaint.