Rise Through Learning Co.

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (Effective May 2017)

The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires that we give you this notice of our privacy practices.  It describes how your information may be used and disclosed and how you can obtain that information.  Our Informed Consent states most of the important information that you need to know.

Legally we must safeguard your protected health information (PHI) which includes any information that could reasonably identify you as a client, including data about your health condition, the services we provide and the payment for those services.  Use of your PHI applies to the examining, analyzing, sharing, or utilizing of information within the practice and disclose refers to the transfer of that information to a third party outside the practice.

Under HIPAA, we may use and disclose your PHIfor the following reasons:

1      For treatment:  With written consent, we may disclose your PHI to others outside this practice including but not limited to physicians, psychologists, educators, and other health care professionals to coordinate care.

2      For health care operations:  We may disclose your PHI for efficient operation of the practice.  For example, we may use it to evaluate performance or to make sure we are in compliance with applicable laws.

3      To obtain payment for treatment:  We may use or disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for services we provide.  We have no knowledge about or control over what happens to your PHI once it has been released to an insurance company. If you choose to use your medical benefits, we are obligated to supply them with your PHI. At this time, all clients are expected to pay out of pocket. You have a right to restrict certain disclosures of your protected health information if you pay out of pocket in full for the services provided to you.

4      When disclosure is required by federal, state, or local law.

5      If disclosure is compelled or permitted by the fact that you are in such a mental or emotional condition as to be dangerous to yourself or the person or property of others, and we determine that disclosure is necessary to prevent the threatened danger.

6      If disclosure is mandated by the child abuse/neglect reporting laws or the elder/dependent adult abuse reporting laws of your state:  If we have a reasonable suspicion that abuse or neglect has occurred, we must report.

7      For Public Health activities:  For example in the prevention and control of disease, including communicable disease.

8      If a lawsuit is filed against the practice:  PHI may be disclosed as part of our defense in court.

9      Appointment reminders and health related benefits or services. We may use your PHI to provide appointment reminders or give you information about other treatment options.

10    If an arbitrator or arbitration panel compels disclosure when arbitration is lawfully requested by either party, pursuant to subpoena or any other provisions authorizing disclosure.

11    If disclosure is required or permitted to a health oversight agency for oversight activities authorized by law.

Disclosures to family, friends, or others:

With written consent, we may provide your PHI to a family member, friend or other individuals that you wish to be involved in your care or responsible for the payment of your health care.  You have the right to object in whole or part and we will reasonably comply.  Retroactive consent may be obtained in emergency situations.

Written Authorization:  Even if you have signed an authorization to disclose your PHI, you may later revoke that authorization, in writing to stop any future disclosures.

Your rights concerning your PHI:

1      Release of records: You may consent in writing to a release of your records to others for any reason you may choose.

2      You have the right to see and get copies of your PHI.You may request your information in writing and we will respond within 60 days.  If we must deny your request, we will give you reasons for the denial in writing.

2      You have the right to ask that I limit how I use and disclose you PHI.  We are not legally bound to comply if the practice believes it is in your best interest to permit use and disclosure of the information, but we will always consider your request and give you the limits in writing.

3      You have the right to ask that your PHI be sent to you at an alternate address or by an alternate method.

4      You are entitled to a list of the disclosures of your PHI that we have made.  This will not include disclosures that you have authorized, nor may it include disclosures made for the purpose of national security or to corrections or law enforcement.  We will respond to your request within 60 days of receiving it.  The list will include the date of the disclosure, to whom it was disclosed, a description of the information and the reason for the disclosure.

5      You have the right to amend your PHI.  If you believe there is an error in your PHI, you have the right to request that we correct information or add missing information.  Your request for this amendment just be made in writing and we will respond within 60 days. We may deny your request if we find that the PHI is complete and correct or may not be disclosed. Our written denial must explain our reasons for the denial and explain your right to file a written objection.  If you do not file a written objection, you still have the right to ask that your request and our denial be attached to any future disclosures.  If the practice agrees to make changes to your PHI, we will also advise all others who need to know that the changes have been made.

6      Notification of Breach. You have a right to be notified if there is a breach of your unsecured PHI. This would include information that could lead to identity theft. You will be notified if there is a breach or a violation of this HIPAA privacy policy

and there is an assessment that your protected information may be compromised.

How to complain about my privacy practices:

If you feel Rise Through Learning has violated your privacy rights or if you object to a decision we have made about access to your PHI, you are entitled to file a complaint.  You may do so directly at the following address:  6227 N. Leroy Ave Chicago, IL 60646 as this is the address of the Privacy Officer for the practice.  Additionally, you may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in the state of Illinois or send a written complaint to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services at 200 Independence Avenue S.W. Washington D.C. 20201.  If you file a complaint, we will take no retaliatory action against you. If you have questions about this notice, complaints or would like to know how to file a complaint, please contact us by e-mail at ksudnik@risethroughlearning.comor phone at 773-998-4123.

Changes in policy:

The Practice reserves the right to change its Privacy Policy based on the needs of the Agency and changes in state and federal law.