HIPAA Privacy Notice

Who Will Follow This Notice?

This notice outlines the policies and practices that all members of our team who handle your medical information will follow.

Our Commitment to Protecting Your Health Information

We understand that your medical information is personal and private. We are committed to protecting your medical information while ensuring the highest level of care. This notice applies to all records we create or receive regarding your care.

Please note, other healthcare providers (such as physicians, hospitals, or home health agencies) may have different policies or notices regarding the use and disclosure of your medical information.

This notice will inform you of how we may use and share your medical information, commonly known as “protected health information” (PHI). PHI includes any information that can identify you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition, as well as related healthcare services.

We are required by law to:

•Ensure that your medical and identifying information is kept confidential.

•Provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices regarding your PHI.

•Abide by the terms of the notice currently in effect.

Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations (TPO)

When you become our patient, you give us permission to use your PHI for treatment, payment, and other healthcare operations. These actions, referred to as “TPO,” include:

•Treatment: We may use and disclose your PHI to provide you with medical treatment or services. For example, we may use your health information to diagnose and treat your condition or share your information with another healthcare provider for further treatment.

•Payment: We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for the services provided. For example, we may share your PHI with your insurance company to receive reimbursement for services rendered.

•Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your PHI for healthcare operations, such as quality improvement activities, staff training, and administrative purposes.

Appointment Reminders

We may use and disclose your PHI to remind you of upcoming appointments. If you prefer to keep such communications confidential, please write to us at info@summerplastic.surgery. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.

Disclosures to Individuals Involved in Your Care

We may share PHI with family members, friends, or others involved in your care, provided it is relevant to their involvement. If you are unable to consent or object, we may share such information as necessary, using our professional judgment. We may also disclose your PHI in an emergency to notify family or others of your condition or location, or to help with disaster relief efforts.

Emergency Situations

In emergency situations, we may use or disclose your PHI without your consent. We will make every effort to obtain your acknowledgment of this notice as soon as reasonably possible.

Health-Related Benefits and Services

From time to time, we may use your PHI to inform you of health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.

Legally Required Disclosures

We will disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law. We will comply with the law and limit the disclosure to what is legally necessary. If such a disclosure is required, we will notify you.

Public Health Risks

We may disclose your PHI to public health authorities as required by law to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability, or to report vital statistics like births and deaths.

Disclosures Related to Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence

We may disclose your PHI to appropriate authorities if we believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, but only in compliance with Florida law.

Disclosures to the FDA

We may disclose your PHI to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to report adverse events, product defects, or for other purposes required by the FDA.

Litigation and Disputes

We may disclose your PHI in response to a valid court or administrative order, subpoena, or other legal requests, as permitted by law.

Law Enforcement

We may disclose your PHI to law enforcement officials as required by law or in response to a court order, warrant, or other legal processes.

Coroners, Medical Examiners, Funeral Directors, and Organ Donation

We may disclose your PHI to a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director as necessary to carry out their duties. We may also share your PHI for organ donation purposes if you have agreed to donate.

Research

We may disclose your PHI for research purposes, but only if the research has been approved and steps have been taken to protect your privacy.

Criminal Activity

We may disclose your PHI to law enforcement authorities to prevent or lessen a serious threat to public safety or to help identify or apprehend an individual involved in a crime.

Workers’ Compensation

We may disclose your PHI to comply with workers’ compensation laws or similar programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the right to:

•Inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records.

•Request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed.

•Request confidential communications in an alternative manner.

•Request an amendment to your medical records.

•Receive an accounting of disclosures of your PHI.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or need further information about this notice, please contact us at info@summerplastic.surgery or call (786) 363-9810. You can also visit our clinic at 3909 NE 163rd St Ste 307, North Miami Beach, FL 33160.