Limiting Information Shared. You may request in writing that the Agency not use or disclose your information for treatment, payment or administration purposes or to persons involved in your care except when specifically authorized by you, when required by law, or in emergency situations.
The Agency will consider your request; however, the Agency is not legally obligated to honor your request. The Agency may not honor such requests if doing so will adversely affect your care.
If you have services that are paid out-of-pocket and you request that we not share such health related information and services for purposes of payment, or our operations with your health insurer(s), we will honor such requests unless otherwise mandated by law.
Confidential Communication.
You have the right to request that your PHI be communicated to you in a confidential manner, such as sending mail to a different address, using a different phone number, etc. All reasonable requests will be accommodated.
Obtaining Copies of Health Information.
Within the limits of the statutes and regulations, you have the right to inspect and copy your PHI. If you request paper or electronic copies, the Agency will provide you with a copy of your medical record or a summary of your record typically within 30 days of your request. You will be charged a reasonable, cost-based fee as allowed by law.
Corrections to Health Records.
If you believe that information in your record is incorrect or if important information is missing, you have the right to submit a request to the Agency to amend your PHI by correcting the existing information or adding the missing information. The Agency will review all amendment requests and make those which do not affect the integrity of the health record as allowed by law. If a change is not made to your record per your request, you will be notified with a reason the request was not honored.
Accounting of Shared Information.
You have the right to receive a list (accounting) of disclosures of your PHI made by the Agency. The request for an accounting must be made in writing to the Privacy Officer. The request should specify the time period for the accounting. Accounting requests may not be made for periods of time in excess of six (6) years. The Agency will provide the first accounting you request within any 12-month period without charge. Subsequent accounting requests within the same 12-month timeframe may be subject to a reasonable, cost-based fee as allowed by law.
Your Representative.
If you have chosen a medical power of attorney, or if someone has been designated as your legal guardian, that person has been given the legal authority to make health decisions and exercise your rights on your behalf. We will work directly with such persons and ensure they are notified of any health related matters promptly.
Privacy Notice Copy.
If this Notice of Privacy Practices was sent to you electronically, you may obtain a paper copy of this notice upon request to the Agency at any time. Subsequent electronic copies may also be requested and provided.
Filing A Complaint.
If you are concerned that the Agency has violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision the Agency made about access to your records, you may contact the office at (410) 719-6912 at any time. You may also send a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. The AME Home Care office staff can provide you with the appropriate address upon request. Under no circumstances