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HIPAA

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This Privacy Policy outlines how your medical information may be utilized and shared, as well as the methods by which you can gain access to this information. We encourage you to thoroughly review it.

Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.

Access to Your Medical Record

You can request an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Please ask us for guidance on how to do this.

We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, typically within 30 days of your request. A reasonable, cost-based fee may apply.

Correction of Your Medical Record

You have the right to ask us to correct health information about you that you believe is incorrect or incomplete. Please inquire about the process.

While we may deny your request, we will provide a written explanation within 60 days.

Confidential Communications

You can request that we contact you in a specific way (e.g., home or office phone) or send mail to a different address.
We will accommodate all reasonable requests.

Limitation of Information Use or Sharing

You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We may deny your request if it affects your care, but we will explain our decision.

If you pay for a service or healthcare item out-of-pocket in full, you can request that we do not share that information with your health insurer. We will comply unless a law requires us to share it.

Your Choices

You can inform us of your preferences for sharing specific health information in the following situations:

  • Sharing Information with Family, Close Friends, or Caregivers
  • Sharing Information in a Disaster Relief Situation
  • Inclusion in a Hospital Directory

If you cannot communicate your preference, such as when unconscious, we may share your information when it is deemed in your best interest or to prevent a serious and imminent threat to health or safety. In these cases, we will always seek your permission when possible.

Restrictions on Information Sharing

We will not share your information for marketing purposes or sell your information.

Our Uses and Disclosures

We may use and share your information as follows:

  • Treatment
  • Running Our Organization
  • Billing for Your Services
  • Assisting with Public Health and Safety Issues
  • Conducting Research
  • Compliance with the Law
  • Responding to Organ and Tissue Donation Requests
  • Working with Medical Examiners or Funeral Directors
  • Addressing Workers’ Compensation, Law Enforcement, and Government Requests
  • Responding to Lawsuits and Legal Actions
  • Providing Appointment Reminders (e.g., voicemail messages, texts, postcards, or letters)
  • Requesting Information Sharing History

You have the right to request a list (accounting) of instances when we’ve shared your health information for the six years preceding your request. Please note that disclosures related to treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and any disclosures you requested will not be included. We offer one free accounting per year, but a reasonable, cost-based fee may apply if you request another within 12 months.

Requesting a Copy of this Privacy Notice

You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.

Choosing Someone to Act for You

If you have designated someone with medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will ensure the person has this authority before taking any action.

How We Typically Use or Share Your Health Information

We typically use or share your health information in the following ways:

  • Running Our Organization: We use health information to manage your treatment and services.
  • Billing for Your Services: We provide information about you and your treatment to your health insurance plan for payment.

Other Uses or Sharing of Health Information

We may share your information in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research, but only after meeting legal conditions.

Our Responsibilities

  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
  • We will promptly inform you if a breach may have compromised your information’s privacy or security.
  • We must adhere to the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and provide you with a copy.
  • We will not use or share your information other than as described here without your written permission. You may change your mind at any time by notifying us in writing.

Changes to the Terms of this Notice

We may change the terms of this notice, which will apply to all information we have about you. The updated notice will be available upon request on our website, and we will mail a copy to you.

This Notice of Privacy applies to all affiliated entities, such as the Illinois Dermatology Institute.