Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 14, 2003

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to protecting the confidentiality of your health information.

Our Legal Duty

We are required by applicable federal and state laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), to:

Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI)
Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect

We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided the changes are permitted by law. Any revisions may apply to all health information we maintain, including information created or received before the change.

If we make a material change to our privacy practices, we will update this Notice and make the revised version available upon request.
You may request a copy of this Notice at any time using the contact information listed at the end of this document.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We use and disclose your health information for the following purposes:

1. Treatment

We may use or disclose your health information to physicians, nurses, technicians, or other healthcare providers involved in your care to provide, coordinate, or manage your treatment.

2. Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for healthcare services provided to you. This may include submitting information to your health plan or other third-party payer.

3. Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your health information for our healthcare operations, including:

Quality assessment and improvement activities
Reviewing the competence and qualifications of healthcare professionals
Evaluating practitioner and provider performance
Conducting training programs
Accreditation, certification, licensing, or credentialing activities

4. Uses and Disclosures with Your Authorization

Other than for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or as otherwise described in this Notice, we will not use or disclose your health information without your written authorization.

You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time. Revocation will not affect uses or disclosures made while the authorization was in effect.

We will not use your health information for marketing communications without your written authorization.

5. Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment

We may disclose your health information to a family member, friend, personal representative, or another person involved in your care or payment for your care if:

You agree to the disclosure;
You are given the opportunity to object and do not object; or
We determine, using professional judgment, that disclosure is in your best interest.

In emergency situations or if you are incapacitated, we may disclose information directly relevant to the person’s involvement in your care.

We may also use professional judgment to allow someone to pick up prescriptions, medical supplies, X-rays, or similar items on your behalf.

6. Notification and Communication with Family

We may use or disclose your health information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or another person responsible for your care regarding:

Your location
Your general condition
Your death

If you are present, you will be given an opportunity to object before such disclosures are made.

7. Required by Law

We may use or disclose your health information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.

8. Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence

We may disclose your health information to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or another crime. We may also disclose information to prevent or lessen a serious threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.

9. National Security, Military, and Law Enforcement

We may disclose health information:

To military authorities regarding Armed Forces personnel
To authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, or national security activities
To correctional institutions or law enforcement officials having lawful custody of an inmate

10. Appointment Reminders

We may use or disclose your health information to provide appointment reminders, such as voicemail messages, postcards, text messages, or letters.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the following rights under HIPAA:

1. Right of Access

You have the right to inspect or obtain copies of your health information, with limited exceptions.

Requests must be made in writing. You may request records in a specific format, and we will provide them in your requested format if reasonably practicable.

Fees:

$20 per hour for staff time to locate and copy records
Postage if copies are mailed
Cost-based fees for alternative formats
Fees for summaries or explanations if requested

2. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures of your health information made by us or our business associates during the past six (6) years, but not before April 14, 2003.

The first accounting in a 12-month period is free. Additional requests within the same 12 months may be subject to a reasonable, cost-based fee.

3. Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your health information. We are not required to agree to your request, but if we do agree, we will comply with the restriction except in emergency situations.

4. Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information:

By alternative means (for example, phone instead of mail), or
At an alternative location

Requests must be made in writing and must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. You must provide information explaining how payment will be handled under your requested method.

5. Right to Request Amendment

You have the right to request an amendment to your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete.

Your request must:

Be in writing
Explain why the information should be amended

We may deny your request under certain circumstances, but we will provide a written explanation if we do so.

6. Right to a Paper Copy

If you receive this Notice electronically (via email or website), you have the right to receive a paper copy upon request.

Questions or Complaints

If you have questions about this Notice or our privacy practices, please contact us.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may:

File a complaint with us using the contact information below; or
File a written complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

We will provide the appropriate HHS contact information upon request.

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Contact Information

Privacy Officer: Carlee C. Boles
Telephone: 210-402-6002
Fax: 210-402-3413
Office Address:
19190 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 116
San Antonio, TX 78258