THIS HIPAA NOTICE (“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.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) is the federal statute that governs the disclosure of medical records and mandates confidentiality with regards to health information and individually identifiable health information. The office of Civil Rights works to enforce the HIPAA privacy rule. Under HIPAA, a covered entity is subject to the regulations and restriction on divulging of private health information. A covered entity is required to disclose protected health information (“PHI”) to an individual when requested.
WHEN PHI MAY BE RELEASED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION
NOVA Genomics, LLC (“NOVA Genomics” or “we” or “our” or “us”) may use and disclose your protected health information (“PHI”) in a variety of ways for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations when we are operating as a HIPAA-covered entity. This includes:
This may also include the following, all of which are at the patient’s option:
WHEN PATIENT AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED FOR RELEASE OF PHI
NOVA Genomics requires patient authorization for the use or disclosure of PHI in situations not covered by this Notice or permitted by applicable law. Specifically, written patient authorization is mandatory before using or disclosing PHI for purposes such as marketing activities, the sale of PHI, or as expressly required by law.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING PHI
Confidential communications. You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health matters in a particular manner or at a certain location. You must make a written request to me specifying the requested method of contact, or the location where you wish to be contacted. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
Requesting restrictions. You have the right to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations. Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict my disclosure of your PHI to only certain individuals involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as family members and friends. To authorize disclosure of your PHI, you must complete an Authorization to Release Information Form. We are not required to agree to your request; however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement, except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you. In order to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your PHI, you must make your request in writing.
Inspection and copies. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the PHI that may be used to make decisions about you. You must submit your request in writing to us for further information in order to inspect and/or obtain a copy of your PHI.
Amendment. You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and you may request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for us. To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to us. You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for amendment. We will deny your request if you fail to submit your request (and the reason supporting your request) in writing. Also, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that is in our opinion: (a) accurate and complete; (b) not part of the PHI kept by or for our practice; (c) not part of the PHI which you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or (d) not created by us, unless the individual or entity that created the information is not available to amend the information.
Right to a paper copy of this Notice. You are entitled to receive a paper copy of this Notice. You may ask for a copy of this Notice at any time. To obtain a paper copy of this Notice, contact Cynthia@Novagenomics.org.
Right to file a complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services by mailing a letter to 200 Independence Ave, SW, Washington. DC 20201, calling 877-696-6775, or visiting https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/what-to-expect/index.html. The complaint must be in writing, describe the acts or omissions that you believe violate your privacy rights, and be filed within 180 days of when you knew or should have known that the act or omission occurred. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Right to provide an authorization for other uses and disclosures. We may obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are identified by this Notice or permitted by applicable law. Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your PHI may be revoked at any time, by you, in writing. After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your PHI for the reasons described in the authorization.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any comments, feedback, or questions regarding this Notice, NOVA Genomics can be contacted at:
NOVA Genomics, LLC
9430 Forestwood Ln., Suite 103
Manassas, VA 20110
by email: Cynthia@Novagenomics.org
