Notice of Privacy Practices
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 CAREFULLY.
Protection of Medical Information: We are committed to protecting the privacy of your health information and will abide by all laws as they relate to your privacy.
Purpose of this Notice: This Notice describes how we may use and disclose your medical information to carry out treatment and for other purposes permitted or required by law. It also describes your legal rights to access and control your health information.
- Patient Rights: Although the records containing your protected medical information are physical property of Carolina Age Management Group & Better Wellness (collectively Better Life Carolinas), the information belongs to you. By law, you have the right to:
- Inspect and obtain a copy of your medical information by providing us with a request
- Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your medical information, except where required by law
- Request that we communicate with you by using alternative means or at an alternative location
- Request an amendment of your medical information
- Request an accounting of disclosures we have made if any of your medical information
- Revoke any authorization you have provided to use or disclose your medical information
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your protected medical information
- Provide you with a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices
- Abide by the terms of our Notice of Privacy Practices
How Your Medical Information May be Used or Disclosed:
Authorization and Consent: Except as outlined below, we will not use or disclose your protected health information for any purpose other than treatment, payment or health care operation unless you have signed a form authorizing such use or disclosure. You have the right to revoke such authorization in writing with such revocation being effective once we receive the writing; however, such revocation shall not be effective to the extent that we have taken any action in reliance on the authorization.
Treatment: We may use and disclose your protected health information to provide, coordinate or manage your health care related services and/or treatment plans. Doctors, nurses and other professionals involved in your care will use information in your medical record to develop treatment plans including but not limited to procedures, medications, diagnostic or specialty testing.
Payment: We may use or disclose your protected health information as necessary for payment purposes. Your information will be used to prepare bills to send for payment collection for services rendered.
Internal Operations: We may use or disclose your protected health information for our internal operations, which include activities necessary to operate, maintain and evaluate Better Life Carolinas programs.
Individuals Involved In Your Care: We may use or disclose protected health information designated family who are involved in your care or payment of services. These will only be individuals approved by you to have access to your medical records.
Appointments and Services: We may use or disclose your protected health information when contacting you for appointment updates or information regarding treatment or services that may benefit your established treatment plan.
Research: In rare circumstances, we may use your protected health information for research purposes. Inn all cases where your authorization is not obtained, your privacy will be protected by confidentiality requirements set by the organizations conducting research.
Other Uses and Disclosures: We are permitted and/or required by law to make certain other uses and disclosures of your protected health information without your consent or authorization for the following purposes:
- Any purpose required by law
- Public health activities such as required reporting of immunizations, disease, injury, birth and death or in connection with public health investigations
- If abuse or neglect; if we believe you to be a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will only make this disclosure if you agree or when required by law.
- To the Food and Drug Administration to report adverse events, product defects, or to participate in product recalls
- To a government oversight agency conducting audits, investigations, civil or criminal proceedings
- Court or administrative ordered subpoena or discovery request
- To law enforcement officials as required by law if we believe you have been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will only make this disclosure if you agree or when required by law.
- To coroners and/or funeral directors consistent with laws
- To workers’ compensation agencies for workers’ compensation benefit determination
Changes to this Notice: We reserve the right to change our privacy practices including this Notice. If we revise this Notice, it will be made effective for all medical information we maintain. You can obtain a copy of the revised Notice by contacting us directly.
Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a written complaint with our office directly and/or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Please submit any written complaints to Better Life Carolinas 260 W Coleman Blvd Suite A Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 or call us at 843-577-8484.
Questions: If you have any questions about this notice or need additional information, please contact our Lindsay Segal, Practice Administrator, at 843-577-8484.