THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, HOW YOU CAN ACCESS YOUR INFORMATION, AND YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH RECORDS. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

At Healwise Community Naturopathic Medicine, your privacy and trust are important to us. We are committed to protecting your personal health information and maintaining the confidentiality of the care you receive.

This notice explains how we may use and share your health information, your rights regarding that information, and our responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable Oregon law.

 1. Your Health Information

Your protected health information may include:

·         Personal and demographic information

·         Medical history, diagnoses, and treatment records

·         Laboratory and diagnostic test results

·         Medication, supplement, and allergy information

·         Consultation notes and treatment recommendations

·         Appointment, billing, and insurance information

·         Other information related to your healthcare

We maintain this information in a secure electronic health record system and use appropriate safeguards to protect your privacy.

 2. How We May Use & Share Your Health Information

Federal and state laws permit certain uses and disclosures of health information without separate written authorization.

For Your Treatment

We may use or share relevant information with healthcare professionals involved in your care.

For example, we may communicate with your primary care provider, specialist, laboratory, or another healthcare professional to coordinate treatment.

For Payment

We may use or disclose information necessary to bill for services and obtain payment.

For example, when submitting an eligible claim to Oregon Health Plan or another insurer, we may provide information about the services received and relevant diagnoses.

For Healthcare Operations

We may use information to manage our practice, maintain accurate records, improve services, and meet professional and legal responsibilities.

For example, information may be used for scheduling, quality improvement, billing administration, or reviewing clinical documentation.

We may also work with service providers who support our electronic health records, billing, and other practice operations. These organizations must protect patient information as required by applicable law.

 3. Other Uses & Disclosures Permitted by Law

We may be permitted or required to share information for specific purposes, including:

·         Public health reporting and disease prevention

·         Reporting suspected abuse or neglect

·         Preventing or reducing a serious threat to health or safety

·         Health oversight, audits, or professional licensing activities

·         Workers' compensation matters

·         Certain research activities conducted under applicable legal safeguards

·         Organ and tissue donation activities

·         Requests from medical examiners or funeral directors

·         Certain court orders, legal proceedings, and law enforcement requests

·         Other disclosures required by federal or Oregon law

These disclosures are subject to applicable legal requirements and limitations.

We will follow any state or federal law that provides greater protection for your information.

 4. Information Requiring Additional Protection

Certain types of health information have additional confidentiality protections.

These may include genetic information, HIV-related information, certain mental health records, separately maintained psychotherapy notes, and qualifying substance use disorder treatment records.

When required by law, we will obtain additional authorization before using or sharing this information.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Records

Certain substance use disorder treatment records are protected by federal law under 42 CFR Part 2.

If Healwise receives or maintains information subject to these protections:

·         We will follow the applicable consent and confidentiality requirements.

·         Records disclosed with appropriate consent for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations may be used or shared as permitted by HIPAA and Part 2.

·         Protected substance use disorder records generally cannot be used or disclosed in investigations or legal proceedings against you without your specific written consent or an appropriate court order and subpoena or other required legal process.

·         Certain substance use disorder counseling notes require separate consent.

Additional privacy protections may apply under Oregon law.

 5. When Your Written Authorization Is Required

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your information for purposes that require authorization under applicable law.

This generally includes:

·         Most uses and disclosures of separately maintained psychotherapy notes

·         Marketing activities requiring authorization under HIPAA

·         Sale of protected health information

·         Other disclosures not otherwise permitted or required by law

You may revoke a written authorization at any time by notifying us in writing.

Revocation does not affect information already disclosed in reliance on your authorization.

Fundraising

Healwise does not currently use patient health information for fundraising activities.

If we conduct fundraising communications using protected health information in the future, you will have the opportunity to opt out as required by law.

Additional advance-notice and choice requirements apply to fundraising communications involving records protected by 42 CFR Part 2.

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have important rights regarding your health information.

Access Your Medical Records

You may request an electronic or paper copy of your medical records.

We will generally respond within 30 days, subject to applicable legal requirements and permitted extensions.

A reasonable, legally permitted fee may apply for certain copies.

Request Corrections

You may ask us to correct information in your medical record that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.

If we deny a request, we will explain our decision in writing, generally within 60 days.

Request Confidential Communication

You may ask us to contact you in a particular way, such as through the patient portal, by telephone, or at a different mailing address.

We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Request Restrictions on Information Sharing

You may ask us to limit certain uses or disclosures of your information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

We are not always required to agree to a requested restriction.

However, if you pay for a healthcare service in full out of pocket, you may request that information about that service not be disclosed to your health insurer for payment or healthcare operations. We must honor qualifying requests unless disclosure is required by law.

Request an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures of your health information made during the preceding six years.

Some disclosures, including many made for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, are excluded.

One accounting is generally available without charge every 12 months. Additional requests may involve a reasonable fee.

Receive a Copy of This Notice

You may request a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time, even if you previously received it electronically.

Designate a Personal Representative

A person legally authorized to act on your behalf, such as a healthcare representative or legal guardian, may exercise applicable privacy rights for you.

We may request documentation of that person's legal authority before releasing information.

File a Complaint

You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

You may contact Healwise directly or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

You will not be penalized or retaliated against for exercising your privacy rights or filing a complaint.

 7. Your Choices About Sharing Information

You may express preferences about sharing your health information with:

·         Family members or close friends involved in your care

·         Individuals assisting with payment for your care

·         People assisting you during an emergency or disaster

We will respect your preferences as required by law.

If you are unable to communicate your wishes, limited information may be disclosed when permitted by law and considered in your best interest.

 8. Electronic Records & Communication

Healwise uses the CHARM electronic health record system to maintain medical records and support secure communication.

The patient portal is the preferred method for routine clinical communication.

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect electronic health information.

Electronic appointment reminders and administrative communications may be provided according to your communication preferences and applicable privacy requirements.

Although reasonable precautions are taken, electronic communication may carry certain privacy and security risks.

You may request a reasonable alternative method of confidential communication.

 9. Our Responsibilities

Healwise Community Naturopathic Medicine is required to:

·         Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.

·         Use and disclose information only as permitted or required by applicable law or authorized by you.

·         Follow the privacy practices described in this notice.

·         Provide you with a copy of this notice upon request.

·         Apply appropriate safeguards to electronic and paper records.

·         Notify affected individuals when a breach of unsecured protected health information requires notification under applicable law.

 10. Changes to This Notice

We may update this Notice of Privacy Practices to reflect changes in our practice, technology, or legal requirements.

Revised terms may apply to all protected health information maintained by the practice, including information collected before the revision.

The current notice will be available through our practice and on our website.

You may request a copy at any time.

 11. Questions, Privacy Requests & Complaints

For questions about your privacy rights, requests for medical records, or concerns about how your information is handled, please contact:

Healwise Community Naturopathic Medicine

Privacy Contact: Rhonda Raney, ND

Mailing Address: 37166 Danner Ridge Ln, Astoria, OR 97103

Telephone: 503-791-8430

Email: rraneyanaturalpath@gmail.com

Secure Communication: CHARM Patient Portal

You may also submit a privacy complaint to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Telephone: 1-877-696-6775

Website: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/

Healwise will not retaliate against anyone for filing a complaint.