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.
Use and Disclosure of Health Information
CareLink may use and disclose your health information, which constitutes protected health information as defined in the Privacy Rule of the Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, to provide you with services, obtain payment for your care, and conduct health care operations. CareLink has established policies to guard against unnecessary disclosure of your health information.
The following is a summary of the circumstances under which and purposes for which your health information may be used and disclosed:
To Provide Services.
CareLink may use and disclose your health information to coordinate care within CareLink and with others involved in your care, such as your attending physician and other healthcare professionals who have agreed to assist CareLink in coordinating care. For example, physicians involved in your care will need information about your symptoms to prescribe appropriate medications. CareLink may also disclose your health care information to individuals outside of CareLink who are involved in your care, including family members, pharmacists, medical equipment suppliers, or other health care professionals.
To Obtain Payment.
CareLink may include your health information in invoices to collect payment from third parties for the care you receive from CareLink. For example, CareLink may be required to provide information to a payer regarding your health care status to receive payment.
To Conduct Health Care Operations.
CareLink may use and disclose health information for its operations to facilitate its function of CareLink and, as necessary, provide quality care to all of CareLink clients. For example, CareLink may use your health information to evaluate its staff performance, combine your health information with other CareLink clients to evaluate how to serve all CareLink clients more effectively, or disclose your health information to CareLink staff and contracted personnel for training purposes.
For Fundraising Activities.
CareLink may use information about you, including your name, address, phone number, and the dates you received care, to contact you to raise money for CareLink. CareLink may also release this information to a related CareLink foundation. If you want to avoid CareLink contacting you, notify the CareLink Privacy Official at (501) 372-5300 and indicate that you do not wish to be contacted.
For Appointment Reminders and Service Alternatives.
CareLink may use and disclose your health information to contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment for a home visit, or tell you about or recommend possible treatment options or alternatives that may be of interest to you.
The following is a summary of additional circumstances under which your health information may also be used and disclosed:
- When there are risks to public health
- To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
- To conduct health oversight activities
- In connection with judicial and administrative proceedings
- For law enforcement purposes
- To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors about decedents
- For organ, eye or tissue donation
- For research purposes, after an approval process
- To avert a serious threat to health or safety
- For specified government functions
- For worker’s compensation purposes
- To release immunization records to schools
- When legally required
Authorization to Other Uses or Disclosures of Health Information
Other than stated above, CareLink will only disclose your health information with your written authorization. Written authorization is required for purposes of marketing, underwriting, and in the event that CareLink were ever to sell health information. Suppose you or your representative authorizes CareLink to use or disclose your health information. In that case, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time unless CareLink has taken action in reliance thereon.
Duties of CareLink
CareLink is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide this Notice of its duties and privacy practices to you or your representative. CareLink must abide by the terms of this Notice as may be amended from time to time. CareLink reserves the right to change its Notice’s terms and make the new Notice provisions effective for all health information it maintains. If CareLink changes its Notice, CareLink will post a copy of the Notice at its offices and on its website.
Your Rights With Respect to Your Health Information
You or your representative have the following rights regarding your health information that CareLink maintains:
To request restrictions.
You may request restrictions on specific uses and disclosures of your health information. You also have the right to request a limit on CareLink’s disclosure of your health information to someone involved in your care or the payment of your care. However, CareLink is not required to agree to your request. If you pay for an item or service out of pocket, you have the right to request that PHI pertaining to that item or service not be disclosed to your health plan. CareLink must abide by this request.
To receive alternative communications.
You can request that your protected health information be provided by alternative means or at alternative locations.
To inspect and copy your health information. You have the right to inspect and copy your health information, including billing records. If you request a copy of your health information, CareLink may charge a reasonable fee for copying and assembling costs associated with your request.
To request amendment of your health care information.
You have the right to request that CareLink amend your records if you believe that your health information maintained by CareLink is incorrect or incomplete. CareLink may deny the request if it does not include a reason for the amendment. The request also may be denied if CareLink did not create your health information records, if the records you are requesting are not part of CareLink’s records, if the health information you wish to amend is not part of the health information you are permitted to inspect and copy, or if, in the opinion of CareLink, the records containing your health information are accurate and complete.
To an accounting.
You have the right to request an accounting of disclosures of your health information made by CareLink for certain reasons, including reasons related to public purposes authorized by law and certain research. CareLink will provide the first accounting you request during any 12-month period without charge. Subsequent accounting requests may be subject to a reasonable cost-based fee.
To a paper copy of this notice.
You have a right to a separate paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have received this Notice previously. You may also obtain a copy of the current version of CareLink’s Notice of Privacy Practices at its website, www.carelink.org
To express complaints.
You have the right to express complaints to CareLink and to the Secretary of DHHS if you or your representative believe that your privacy rights have been violated. You will not be retaliated against in any way for filing a complaint.
To be notified of a breach of PHI. You have the right to be notified of a breach of your unsecured PHI.
Contact Person
CareLink has designated the CareLink Privacy Official as its contact person for all issues regarding client privacy and your rights under the Federal privacy standards. To exercise the rights listed above, contact this person at (501) 372-5300 or P.O. Box 5988, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72119-5988. Requests to receive alternative communications, to inspect and copy, to amend and to an accounting, and any complaints must be in writing.
Effective Date
This Notice is effective September 1, 2013.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARELINK PRIVACY OFFICIAL, CARELINK, P.O. BOX 5988, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72119-5988, (501) 372-5300.
