HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

N&Y Community Wellness Center Corp. is committed to protecting the privacy of your health information. We are required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) and to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

Treatment

We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health treatment and related services. For example, we may share information with other healthcare providers involved in your care.

Payment

We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for services we provide. This includes submitting claims to insurance companies, Medicare, or Medicaid, and responding to requests for additional information from your insurer.

Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your PHI for our internal operations, including quality assessment, staff training, accreditation activities, and business planning necessary to run our practice.

Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures (Without Authorization)

• As required by law (court orders, subpoenas, regulatory oversight)
• To public health authorities for disease reporting and prevention
• To report abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult as required by Florida law
• To avert a serious threat to health or safety
• For workers' compensation purposes
• For military and national security activities
• To the Department of Health and Human Services for HIPAA compliance investigations

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes other than those listed above, including:

• Most disclosures of psychotherapy notes
• Marketing communications
• Sale of your health information
• Any other use not described in this Notice

You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except where we have already acted on it.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

Right to Inspect and Copy

You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of your medical record and billing records. Requests must be made in writing. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.

Right to Request Amendments

You may request that we amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny the request under certain circumstances and will explain any denial in writing.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations for the six years prior to your request.

Right to Request Restrictions

You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI. We are not required to agree to your request, except that we must agree to a restriction on disclosure to a health plan if you pay out-of-pocket in full for the service.

Right to Confidential Communications

You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

How to File a Complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. If we make material changes, we will post the revised Notice on our website and make it available in our office. The new Notice will apply to all PHI we maintain, including information created or received before the change.