PRIVACY POLICY
How We May Use or Disclose Your Protected Health Information
Business Associates
Occasionally, services may be provided to us by third-party business associates. When these associates handle your protected health information, we ensure that a written contract is in place to uphold the same privacy standards we maintain for our own employees and affiliates.
Communication With Family or Friends
Healthcare professionals may use their judgment to share relevant protected health information with a family member, close friend, or another individual you’ve identified, if that person is involved in your care or payment for services related to your care.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
We may disclose your protected health information to coroners or medical examiners as required by law, and to funeral directors as necessary for the performance of their duties.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
We may disclose your protected health information to coroners or medical examiners as required by law, and to funeral directors as necessary for the performance of their duties.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
We may disclose your protected health information to the FDA for purposes such as reporting adverse events, product defects, or for post-marketing surveillance of products to facilitate product recalls, repairs, or replacements.
Health Care Operations
We may use or disclose your protected health information for healthcare operations, which include activities like quality assessment, improvement initiatives, underwriting, premium rating, and general administration. For
example, our quality improvement team might analyze your health record to assess and enhance the quality of care we provide, in line with state and federal regulations, as well as accreditation standards.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose your protected health information to a health oversight agency for authorized activities, such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure.
Inmates
If you are an inmate or under the custody of law enforcement, we may disclose your protected health information to the relevant correctional facility or law enforcement authorities.
Lawsuits and Disputes
We may disclose your protected health information in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other legal orders related to a lawsuit.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose your protected health information to law enforcement officials when requested, for criminal investigations, in response to a court order, or during emergency situations, as required by law.
Marketing
We may use or disclose your protected health information, when necessary, to inform you about treatment options or other health-related services and benefits that may be of interest to you.
Military and Veterans
If you are a member of the armed forces, we may disclose your health information as required by military authorities.
Payment
Your protected health information may be used or disclosed to process claims or payments for covered services you receive under your benefit plan. For instance, your healthcare provider might submit a claim to us for reimbursement, and the claim form will include identifying details about you, your diagnosis, and the
treatments or supplies used.
Plan Sponsors
We may disclose your protected health information to your plan sponsor to support the administration of the plan, provided the plan sponsor certifies that the plan documents comply with HIPAA regulations.
Protective Services for the President, National Security, and Intelligence Activities
We may disclose your protected health information to federal officials for purposes related to the protection of the President, other designated persons, foreign heads of state, or national security investigations.
Public Health
As required by law, we may disclose your protected health information to public health authorities or legal entities tasked with preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.
Research
We may share your information with researchers whose studies have been approved by an institutional review board, which ensures that privacy measures are in place to protect your health information.
Required by Law
We will disclose your protected health information if required by federal, state, or local law.
Right to Amend
You have the right to request that we amend your protected health information, provided the information is maintained by us. Your request must explain why the amendment is necessary. We may deny your request if the record was not created by us, is not available for inspection, or is deemed accurate and complete.
Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to inspect and copy your protected health information in a designated record set, which includes records related to your enrollment, payments, and claims. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying costs, including labor, supplies, postage, or preparing a summary. In some cases, we may deny your request for access, but you can request a review of the denial.
Right to Obtain a Paper Copy
You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to receive an account of disclosures of your protected health information made by us in the past six years, excluding disclosures for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and certain other legal or security purposes. The first request in a 12-month period is free; subsequent requests may incur a reasonable fee.
Right to Receive Confidential Communications
You can request that we send your protected health information through alternative means or to a different location. We must accommodate your request if it is reasonable, and if disclosing the information as usual
could endanger you.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on how your protected health information is used or disclosed for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or communication with family and friends. While we are not required to agree to these restrictions, we will consider your request.
Research
We may share your information with researchers whose studies have been approved by an institutional review board, which ensures that privacy measures are in place to protect your health information.
Treatment
We may use or share your protected health information to coordinate and provide the medical treatment or services you receive. For example, healthcare providers involved in your care will document information related to your treatment in your medical record. This data is essential for performing activities such as reviewing medical records, investigating quality of care concerns, conducting quality improvement studies, and other functions as required by applicable laws and regulations governing Family Health Choice.
Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose your protected health information as necessary to comply with workers’ compensation laws or other similar legal programs.
How to File a Complaint if You Believe Your Privacy Rights Have Been Violated
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint in writing to:
Family Health Choice
Attn: Privacy Officer
1806 N Flamingo Rd, #220
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not face retaliation for filing a complaint.
