Privacy Policy

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. This Notice applies to the following organization: Columbus Women’s Healthcare, P.C. 4508 38thStreet, Suite 107 Columbus, NE  68601 Understanding Your Health Record/ Information Every time you visit a hospital, physician, or other healthcare provider, a record of your visit is made. This record may include your symptoms, examination and test results, diagnosis, treatment, and plans for future care or treatment. Your medical provider uses this information – often referred to as your health record – to plan your care and treatment. Many health care professionals who assist in your care, communicate through your health record. Your health information is also used by insurance companies to verify that services we billed for were actually provided. Although your health record belongs to the healthcare provider or facility that compiled it, you do have certain rights with regard to your health information.

Your Rights

• You have a right to expect that your health information will be kept secure and used only for legitimate purposes.
• You have a right to understand how your health information may be used and disclosed by Columbus Women’s Healthcare
• You have a right to receive this privacy notice that tells you how your health information may be used or disclosed.
• You have a right to ask questions about any health privacy issue and have those questions clearly and promptly answered.
• You have a (limited) right to know who has seen your health information, and for what purpose. If you make additional requests for such an accounting during any 12-month period, we may charge you a reasonable, cost-based fee.
• You have a right to see, and to keep a copy of, all of your health records (except psychotherapy notes). Your request for a copy of your record must be in writing. We may charge you a reasonable, cost-based, copying fee.
• You have a right to ask for correction – or inclusion of a statement of disagreement – for anything in your records that you feel is in error. Your request must be in writing and include supporting documentation.
• You have a right to authorize – or refuse – additional uses of your health information, such as for fundraising, marketing, or research.
• You have a right to request extra protections for health information you consider especially sensitive, and to request that we communicate with you by alternative means.

Our Responsibilities

We also have certain responsibilities. These include:

• Maintaining the privacy of your health information;
• Providing you with a copy of this Notice;
• Abiding by the terms of this Notice;
• Notifying you if we are unable to agree to a requested amendment or restriction; and
• Accommodating reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.

If our information practices change, we may change this Notice. If we do so, the change will be effective for information gathered both before and after the effective date of such change. However, before we change our practices, we will post a copy of our new Notice at our site. The effective date of our Notice will always appear at the end of the Notice. We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this Notice. 

Disclosures for Treatment, Payment and Healthcare Operations.  We may use or disclose your information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without your permission. However, if state law requires us to obtain your written permission to use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, we will do so.  No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes.  All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

We will use or disclose your health information for treatment. For example: Information obtained by a nurse, physician, or other members of your healthcare team will be recorded in your record and used to determine the course of your treatment. Healthcare team members will communicate with one another personally and through the health record to coordinate your care. We may provide your physician or other healthcare provider with copies of reports that may help determine your future treatment. We may also disclose your information to another healthcare provider for its payment purposes or its healthcare operations. We will use or disclose your health information for payment. For example: We may send your bill to you or your insurance company. Your bill may contain information that identifies you, as well as your diagnosis, procedures, and supplies used. We will use or disclose your health information for healthcare operations and internal business practices. For example: Members of the medical staff, the risk or quality improvement manager, or members of the quality improvement team may use information in your health record to assess the care and outcomes in your case and others like it. This information is used in our ongoing efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of the healthcare and service we provide. Other Disclosures That May be Made Without Your Authorization Unless we are otherwise restricted from doing so, we may also use or disclose your information for the following purposes without your authorization: Notification: We may use or disclose information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or another person responsible for your care about your location and general condition. Communication with family: We may disclose to a family member, other relative, close personal friend or any other person you identify, health information relevant to that person’s involvement in your care or payment related to your care. Hospital Directory: Unless state or federal law otherwise restricts us, or unless you instruct us not to, we may release your location within the hospital to people who ask for you by name. In addition, unless you instruct us not to, we may release your name, location, and religious affiliation to members of the clergy. Business Associates: Some services of our organization are provided through contractual arrangements with business associates. These include radiology, certain laboratory services, supplemental staffing, transcription, and data management. When services are provided by a business associate, we may disclose your health information to our business associate so that they can perform the job we have asked them to do and bill you or your insurance company for those services. In addition, we may disclose your health information to accrediting agencies and certain outside consultants. Our business associate must use appropriate safeguards to protect your health information. Funeral Directors/Medical Examiners: We may disclose your health information to funeral directors, medical examiners and/or coroners consistent with applicable law so that they can carry out their duties. Organ Procurement Organizations: Consistent with applicable law, we may disclose your health information to organ procurement organizations or other entities engaged in the procurement, banking, or transplantation of organs for the purpose of tissue donation and transplant. Research:  We may disclose information to researchers when their research has been approved by an institutional review board that has reviewed the research proposal and established protocols to ensure the privacy of your health information. In addition, we may disclose information to researchers in preparation for research. Marketing:  We may use your information to provide you with information regarding health-related products or services provided by Columbus Women’s Healthcare or information regarding your treatment or care, such as appointment reminders or treatment alternatives. In addition, your health information may be used in face-to-face encounters or to provide you with gifts of nominal value. Fundraising:  We may use your name and limited demographic information to contact you as part of a Columbus Women’s Healthcare fundraising effort. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): We may disclose to the FDA, or an entity subject to FDA jurisdiction, your health information for public health purposes related to the quality, safety or effectiveness of an FDA-regulated product or activity for which that person has responsibility. For example, your information may be disclosed in connection with the reporting of an adverse event, product defect, product tracking or to provide post marketing surveillance information. Workers Compensation: We may disclose your health information to the extent authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with laws relating to workers compensation or other similar programs established by law. Public Health: When required or permitted by law, we may disclose your health information to public health or legal authorities responsible for preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability or performing other public health functions. In addition, we may disclose your health information in order to avert a serious threat to health or safety. Specialized Governmental Functions: We may disclose your health information for military and veterans activities, national security and intelligence activities, and similar special governmental functions as required or permitted by law. Correctional Institutions: If you are an inmate of a correctional institution, we may disclose to the institution or agents thereof health information necessary for your health and the health and safety of other individuals. Law Enforcement: We may disclose your health information for law enforcement purposes as required or permitted by law or in response to a valid subpoena, court order or other binding authority. Disclosures Required by Law: We may use or disclose your health information as required by law provided such use or disclosure complies with and is limited to the relevant requirements of such law. Health Oversight Agencies: We may disclose your health information to an appropriate health oversight agency, public health authority or attorney involved in health oversight activities. Judicial and Administrative Proceedings: We may disclose your health information for judicial or administrative proceedings as required or permitted by law or in response to a valid subpoena, court order or other binding authority. For More Information or to Report a Problem If you have questions or would like additional information, you may contact the Privacy Officer or Director of Health Information Management, at Columbus Women’s Healthcare, P.C. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Director of Health Information Management at the phone number listed at the beginning of this Notice, or with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.