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 IT CAREFULLY.

                                                                                                                                                           

 

Obligations of the School

 

South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind will follow the privacy practices that are described in this notice while it is in effect.  This notice takes effect April 14, 2003, and will remain in effect until it is revised or replaced. This notice applies to our health and related services division.

 

We are required to:

 

·                     maintain the privacy of protected health information;

·                     provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information;

·                     abide by the terms of this notice or the notice currently in effect;

·                   comply with certain objections you may have with regard to our  use and disclosure of your health information as specified herein;

·                     comply with requirements regarding your individual rights as specified herein; and

·                     obtain your written authorization to use or disclose your health information for reasons other than those listed above or permitted under law.

 

We reserve the right to change these privacy practices and the terms of this notice at any time, as long as the law allows it.  We reserve the right to make these changes effective for all health information that we  maintain, including health information we created or received before the changes were made.  Before we make a significant change in these privacy practices, we will revise this notice and send the new notice to you at the time of the revision.  You may request a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.

 

Use or Disclosures of Health Information

 

Treatment. We may use your health information to provide you with health treatment or services.   For example, information obtained by us will be recorded in your record that is related to your treatment.  We will also record actions taken by us  in the course of your treatment.  In addition, we may use your health information to coordinate or manage your care and consult with other health care providers outside of our school regarding your care.

 

Payment. We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we  render if a charge is applicable to the service.  For example, it may be necessary for us  to use or disclose your health information so that we may bill and collect from you, your insurance company, or other third party for treatment and services we render. 

 

Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose health information about you for operational purposes.  For example, your health information may be disclosed for:

 

·                     quality assessment or risk management purposes;

·                     conducting or arranging for health review, legal services, and auditing functions; and

·                     business management and general administrative actions.

 

Appointments. We may use your health information to provide appointment reminders or information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.

 

Authorization.  You may give us written authorization to use your health information or to disclose it to anyone for any purpose.  You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time.  Unless you give us a written authorization, we will not use or disclose your health information for any reason except those described in this notice.

 

Communication to Individuals Involved in Your Care. Your health information may be used or disclosed by us to notify or communicate with your family members or other persons involved in your care.  Unless you object and inform us of your objection, your health information may be released to a  family member, close personal friend or other person who is involved in your care to the extent necessary for such persons to participate in your care.  Please contact us using the contact information at the end of this notice if you want uses and disclosures regarding  health information to individuals involved in your care to be limited any way. 

 

Required by Law. We may use and disclose information about you as required by law.  For example, we may disclose information for the following purposes:

 

·                     for judicial and administrative proceedings pursuant to legal authority;

·                     to report information related to victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence; and

·                     to assist law enforcement officials in their law enforcement duties.

 

Public Health.  Your health information may be used or disclosed for public health activity such as assisting public health authorities or other legal authorities to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability, or for other health oversight activities.

Decedents.  Health information may be disclosed to funeral directors or coroners to enable them to carry out their lawful duties.

 

Organ Tissue Donation. Your health information may be used or disclosed for cadaveric organ, eye or tissue donation purposes.

 

Health and Safety.  Your health  information may be disclosed to avert a serious threat to the health or safety of you or any other person pursuant to applicable law.

 

Government Functions.  Your health information may be disclosed for specialized government functions such as protection of public officials or reporting to various branches of the armed services that may require use or disclosure of your health information.

 

Workers Compensation and Medical Surveillance.  Your health information may be used or disclosed to the your employer  in order to comply with laws and regulations related to workers= compensation, for medical surveillance, or to report work related illness or injury.

 

Your Individual Rights

 

Access.  You have the right to inspect or obtain copies of your health information, with some exceptions.   To obtain a copy of your health information, you must make a request in writing.  If you request copies, you may be charged a reasonable fee, including the cost of copying and postage.  You may make a written request for your health information using the contact address at the end of this notice.

 

Accounting. You have the right to receive an accounting in which we used or disclosed your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, health care operations, as authorized by you, or for certain other activities, on or after April 14, 2003.  To obtain a copy of an accounting, you must make a request in writing using the contact information at the end of this notice. 

 

Amendments.  You have the right to request that we amend your health information.  Your request must be in writing and it must explain why we should amend the information.  We may deny your request if we did not create the information you want amended or we may deny your request for other reasons.  If we deny your request, we will send you a written explanation.  You may respond with a statement of disagreement that we will add to the information you want amended.  To request an amendment, you may make a written request using the contact address at the end of this notice.

 

Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by other means or to other locations.  You must make your request in writing using the contact address at the end of this notice.  We must accommodate your request if it is reasonable. 

 

Restrictions.  You have the right to request that we place additional restrictions on our use or disclosure of your health information. We are not required to agree to those additional restrictions, but if  we do, we will abide by our agreement except in emergency situations.  To request restrictions, you must make a request in writing using the contact information at the end of this notice.  Any agreement to additional restrictions must be in writing signed by us.

 

Questions and Complaints

 

If you want more information about our privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please contact us using the information below.  If you think that we may have violated your privacy rights or you disagree with a decision we made about your privacy rights, you may file a complaint with us using the contact information listed below.  You may also submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  We support your right to the privacy of your health information.  We will not retaliate in any way if you choose to file a complaint.

 

Contact Information. 

 

Quality Assurance Manager

South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

355 Cedar Spring Road

Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302

(864) 585-7711