Notice of Privacy Practices
Our Duties How We Use PHI Your Rights Special Topics Complaints Contact Us
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Radiant Change Behavioral Services LLC ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of your health information. This Notice of Privacy Practices ("Notice") describes our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your Protected Health Information ("PHI") as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and applicable state laws.
Section 01
Our Duties Regarding Your Health Information
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI)
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices regarding PHI
- Notify you following a breach of your unsecured PHI
- Abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice and to make the new provisions effective for all PHI we maintain. We will post the current Notice on our website and make copies available upon request.
Section 02
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
The following describe the ways we may use and disclose health information about you without your specific authorization.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your behavioral health treatment and related services. For example, we may share your information with other healthcare professionals involved in your treatment, such as psychiatrists, physicians, or other therapists, to ensure coordinated and appropriate care.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for services we provide to you. This may include submitting claims to your insurance company or other third-party payers, verifying coverage, or collecting payment from you directly.
Health Care Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI for our healthcare operations, including quality assessment and improvement activities, training and supervision of staff, business planning and administrative activities, and legal and compliance functions.
Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures
- As Required by Law: We will disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.
- Public Health Activities: We may disclose PHI for public health activities, including reporting communicable diseases, child abuse or neglect, or adverse events related to food, products, or medications.
- Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence: We may disclose PHI to appropriate authorities if we believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
- Health Oversight Activities: We may disclose PHI to health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law, such as audits, investigations, and inspections.
- Judicial and Administrative Proceedings: We may disclose PHI in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process.
- Law Enforcement: We may disclose PHI to law enforcement officials under certain circumstances, such as to comply with court orders or to report certain types of wounds.
- Serious Threats to Health or Safety: We may use or disclose PHI if we believe it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.
- Military and Veterans: If you are a member of the armed forces, we may use or disclose PHI as required by military command authorities.
- Workers' Compensation: We may disclose PHI as authorized by workers' compensation laws.
- Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors: We may disclose PHI to these parties as necessary to carry out their duties.
- Research: Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose PHI for approved research activities.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
Other uses and disclosures of your PHI not covered by this Notice or required by law will be made only with your written authorization. These include most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, uses and disclosures of your PHI for marketing purposes, and the sale of your PHI. You may revoke any authorization you provide to us at any time, in writing, except to the extent we have already taken action based on that authorization.
Section 03
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights with respect to your PHI. To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to our Privacy Officer using the contact information at the end of this Notice.
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI that is maintained in a designated record set, with limited exceptions. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying.
You have the right to request an amendment to your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny your request under certain circumstances.
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI we have made. The first accounting in a 12-month period is free; additional requests may incur a fee.
You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI. We are not required to agree to most restrictions, but must agree to restrict disclosures to health plans for services you paid for in full out-of-pocket.
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information in a certain way or at a certain location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
You have the right to a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive this Notice electronically.
Section 04
Special Topics in Privacy
Minors
We comply with applicable state and federal laws regarding the privacy of health information for minors. In some circumstances, minors may have certain rights regarding their own health information, including behavioral health services obtained without parental consent as permitted by law.
Mental Health and Substance Use Information
Certain health information, such as psychotherapy notes, mental health records, and substance use disorder treatment records, may be entitled to additional protections under applicable state and federal laws. We will comply with all applicable laws governing such information, which may be more stringent than HIPAA.
HIV/AIDS Information
To the extent applicable, we comply with state laws that provide additional protections for HIV/AIDS-related information.
Electronic Health Information
We take reasonable and appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the privacy and security of your PHI in electronic form. In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, we will notify you as required by law.
Important Note: If you receive services through telehealth or online platforms, we continue to protect your PHI in accordance with HIPAA and applicable state laws. All staff and contractors are trained on privacy and confidentiality obligations.
Section 05
How to File a Complaint
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR). To file a complaint with us, please contact our Privacy Officer. To file a complaint with OCR, you may visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints or call 1-800-368-1019.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Section 06
Contact Our Privacy Officer
For questions about this Notice or to exercise your rights, please contact us:
Radiant Change Behavioral Services LLC
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