All information that is obtained is completely confidential and is subject to the HIPAA provisions. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPAA), your health information is protected and completely confidential. This Act gives you specific rights to understand and control how the information is used.
This Notice of Privacy practices describes how the information may be
used to disclose your protected information for other purposes that are
permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights to access
and control your protected health information.
Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
Your protected health information may be used and disclosed for the purpose of providing health care services, to pay your bills or to support the operation of the practice, and in accordance with the law. Dates of service and billing through credit card companies are standard practice. Health information may be provided to a referring psychiatrist only if you allow. An appropriate consent form is required.
Protected health information will be used as needed to obtain payment on your behalf for the health services if you are submitting your bills for payment to an insurance company, if you allow.
As Dr. Gaik is a mandated reporter, you need to be aware that your protected health information may be used without your authorization as required by law in the event of abuse or neglect, intent to harm yourself or another.
Your Rights
You have the right to inspect your protected health information. Under Federal law, however, you may not inspect or copy the following records: psychotherapy notes, information compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or use in, a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding, and protected health information that is subject to law that prohibits access to protected health information.
You have a right to request a restriction of your protected health
information. This means you may ask me not to use or disclose any part
of your protected health information for the purposes of treatment,
payment or health care operations. You may request that no statements
be sent if you desire.