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HIPAA PRIVACY NOTICE
(English and Español)
The following is a notice about how we use the protected health information of our clients. Federal regulations, often called HIPAA regulations, require this notice to be posted on our Web site to provide clients with greater access to this information. Within this notice is an address and phone number, so you can contact us about any questions you might have about our clients' protected health information.

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO IT. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Family Paths, Inc. has a legal duty to safeguard your Protected Health Information.
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations and for other purposes that are permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights to access and control your PHI. Protected Health Information is information about you, including demographic information that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services. Our practice is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your PHI.
Family Paths, Inc. reserves the right to change the terms of this notice and the agency’s privacy policies at any time. Any changes will apply to PHI on file with the agency already. You can request a copy of this notice from Family Paths, Inc. Privacy Officer at 510-893-9230, or view a copy of it in our office or at our website http://www.familypaths.org

A: HOW Family Paths, Inc. MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION.

USES AND DISCLOSURES RELATING TO TREATMENT, PAYMENT, OR HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS:
Under HIPAA regulations, Family Paths, Inc. does not need to obtain permission to use health information for treatment, payment, and health care operations. However, several California State laws require client consent before health information is used or disclosed by health care providers.
a) For treatment. Family Paths, Inc. can use your PHI for coordination of treatment with other Family Paths, Inc. Staff. For example, your therapist may talk to his or her supervisor or other clinicians about your case.
b) To obtain payment for treatment. Family Paths, Inc. can disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for the treatment and services provided by Family Paths, Inc. to you. For example, Family Paths, Inc. might send your PHI to your health plan to get paid for the health care service that Family Paths, Inc. has provided to you.
c) For health care operations. Family Paths, Inc. can disclose your PHI to operate our agency. For example, Family Paths, Inc. can disclose your PHI to other agencies to authorize services or to evaluate the quality of services. For example, Family Paths, Inc. might use your PHI to evaluate the quality of health care services that you received or to evaluate the performance of the health care professional that provided such services to you.
d) Other disclosures. Family Paths, Inc. may also disclose your PHI to others without your consent in certain situations. For example, your consent isn’t required if you need emergency treatment, as long as we try to get your consent after treatment is rendered.

OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR CONSENT:
Family Paths, Inc. can use and disclose your PHI without your consent or authorization for the following reasons:
Abuse or Neglect. Family Paths, Inc. may disclose your PHI if we believe that you have been a victim or perpetrator of child or elder abuse or neglect to a governmental entity or agency authorized to receive such information. In the case of apparent harm to self, Family Paths, Inc. may disclose your PHI to the proper authority. In this case, the disclosure will be made consistent with the requirements of applicable federal and state laws.
Law enforcement. Family Paths, Inc. may disclose PHI for law enforcement purposes, subpoena, or as required by law. Family Paths, Inc. may also disclose PHI in cases of threat or harm to others.
For health oversight activities. Family Paths, Inc. may have to provide information to assist the government when it conducts an investigation or inspection of a health care provider.
For research purposes. In certain circumstances Family Paths, Inc. may provide PHI in order to conduct medical research.
Appointment reminders and health related benefits or services. Family Paths, Inc. may use PHI to provide appointment reminders and to give you information about treatment alternatives, or other health care services.

OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR PRIOR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION:
In any other situation not described in sections 1 and 2 above, Family Paths, Inc. will make every effort to obtain written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI. If you choose to sign an authorization to disclose your PHI, you can later revoke such authorization to stop any future uses and disclosures of your PHI.

B: WHAT RIGHTS YOU HAVE REGARDING YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

THE RIGHT TO REQUEST LIMITS ON USES AND DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PHI:
You have the right to request limits to the use and disclosure of your PHI. We will consider your request. However we are not legally required to agree to it. If we agree to your request, we will do so in writing and abide by them except in emergencies.

THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE HOW FAMILY PATHS, INC. SENDS YOUR PHI:
You have the right to ask that Family Paths, Inc. send information to an alternative address (for example, sending information to your work address rather then your home address) or by alternate means (for example, e-mail instead of regular mail). Family Paths, Inc. must agree to your request so long as we can easily provide PHI
to you in the format you requested.

THE RIGHT TO SEE AND GET COPIES OF YOUR PHI:
In most cases, you have the right to obtain copies of your PHI, but you must make the request in writing. If Family Paths, Inc. does not have your PHI but knows where it is, we will provide you with that information. Family Paths, Inc. will respond to you within 30 days of receiving your written request. In certain situations, we may deny your request. If your request is denied, we will tell you the reason in writing. If you request copies of your PHI, we will charge you not more then $0.25 for each page. Family Paths, Inc. may provide you with a summary or explanation of the PHI as long as you agree to that and to the cost in advance.

THE RIGHT TO GET A LIST OF THE DISCLOSURES FAMILY PATHS, INC. HAS MADE REGARDING YOUR PHI:
You have the right to request a list of disclosures made of your PHI. The list will not include uses or disclosures made for treatment, payment, or health care operations. The list will not include uses and disclosures made for law enforcement purposes or disclosures made before April 15th, 2003. Family Paths, Inc. will respond to your request within 60 days. The list will include disclosures made in the last six years unless those disclosures were before April 14th, 2003. Family Paths, Inc. will provide the list to you at no charge, but if you make more then one request in the same year, we will charge you a reasonable cost based fee for each additional request.

THE RIGHT TO CORRECT OR UPDATE YOUR PHI:
If you believe that there is a mistake in your PHI or that a piece of important information is missing, you have the right to request that Family Paths, Inc. correct the existing information or add the missing information. You must provide the request and your reason for the request in writing. We will respond within 60 days of receiving your request to correct or update your PHI. We may deny your request in writing if the PHI is (i) correct and complete, (ii) not created by Family Paths, Inc., (iii) not allowed to be disclosed, or (iv) not part of Family Paths, Inc.’ records. Written denial will state the reasons for the denial and explain your right to file a written statement of disagreement with the denial. If you don’t file one, you have the right to ask that your request and Family Paths, Inc.’ denial be attached to all future disclosures of your PHI. If Family Paths, Inc. approves your request, we will make the changes to your PHI, notify you and others that need to know of the change to your PHI.

THE RIGHT TO GET THIS NOTICE BY E-MAIL:
You have the right to receive a copy of this notice by e-mail. Even if you have agreed to receive notice via e-mail, you also have the right to request a paper copy.

C: HOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT Family Paths, Inc. PRIVACY PRACTICES
If you think that Family Paths, Inc. may have violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision Family Paths, Inc. made about access to your PHI, you may file a complaint with the person listed in Section D below. You may also send a written complaint to the Secretary of the Department of Health of Human Services at 200 Independence Avenue S. W. Washington, D.C. 20201. Family Paths, Inc. will take no retaliatory action against you if you file a complaint.

D: WHO TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS NOTICE OR TO COMPLAIN ABOUT Family Paths, Inc. PRIVACY PRACTICES
If you have any questions about this notice or any complaints about Family Paths, Inc. privacy practices, or would like to know how to file a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, please contact the Family Paths, Inc. Privacy Officer at 510-893-9230.