Notice of Privacy Practices
RBA is committed to treating and using protected health information about you responsibly. This Notice of Health Information Privacy Practices describes the personal information we collect, and how and when we use or disclose that information. It also describes your rights to access and amend your protected health information.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
“Protected health information” is individually identifiable health information. This information includes demographics, for example, age, address, e-mail address, and relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health condition and related health care services. RBA is required to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your health information,
- We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
- Abide by the terms of this notice and provide a copy of it.
- We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
- Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction, and
- Accommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
We reserve the right to change our practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEALTH RECORD / INFORMATION
Each time RBA is involved in your radiology exam, a record of your visit is made. Typically, this record may contain your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, insurance, medical history, symptoms, test results or diagnoses. This information, often referred to as your health or medical record, serves as a:
- Basis for planning your care and treatment,
- Means of communication among the many health professionals who contribute to your care,
- Legal document describing the care you received,
- Means by which you or a third-party payer can verify that services billed were actually provided,
- A source of information for public health officials charged with improving the health of this state and the nation,
- A tool with which we can assess and continually work to improve the care we render and the outcomes we achieve,
Understanding what is in your record and how your health information is used helps you to:
- ensure its accuracy
- better understand who, what, when, where, and why others may access your health information, and
- make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others
HOW WE MAY USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
Following are examples of permitted uses and disclosures of your protected health information. These examples are not exhaustive.
- Image you
- Bill for our services
- Operate our organization
- Health Oversight
- Help with public health and safety
- Comply with the law
- Reply to Worker’s Compensation, law enforcement, and other government agencies
- Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS
Although your health record is the physical property of RBA or our partner locations, the information belongs to you. You have the right to:
- Receive a copy your Healthcare Information
- Request Amendment
- Obtain an Accounting of Disclosures
- Request Confidential Communications by alternative means or at alternative locations
- Request Restrictions
- Revoke a Prior Authorization
- Obtain a copy of this Notice upon Request
- Choose someone to act for you
FOR CERTAIN HEALTH INFORMATION, YOU CAN TELL US YOUR CHOICE REGARDING WHAT WE SHARE.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
- Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care
- Share information in a disaster relief situation
In these cases we never share your information unless you give us written permission:
- Marketing purposes
- Fund Raising
COMPLAINTS OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the practice’s Privacy Officer or with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint with either the Privacy Officer or the Office for Civil Rights.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If have a complaint or question and would like additional information, you may contact the practice’s Privacy Officer at 440 989-4480. You may also e-mail questions to admin@rbarad.com
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
This Privacy Policy is effective September 20, 2013
Original Privacy Policy April 14, 2003