HIPAA Privacy Policy
I. Introduction
This Privacy Policy outlines the practices of Affinity, Hospice and Palliative Care (hereinafter referred to as "Affinity") in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Affinity is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI) of our patients.
II. Definitions
Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium.
III. Use and Disclosure of PHI
Affinity may use and disclose PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
1. Treatment: Affinity may use and disclose PHI to provide, coordinate, manage, and administer care to patients.
2. Payment: Affinity may use and disclose PHI to obtain reimbursement for the care provided, including determinations of eligibility and coverage and other utilization review activities.
3. Healthcare Operations: Affinity may use and disclose PHI for the business activities of the hospice, which include quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competence or qualifications of healthcare professionals, and conducting training programs.
IV. Patient Rights
Under HIPAA, patients have the following rights concerning their PHI:
1. Right to Inspect and Copy: Patients have the right to inspect and copy PHI that may be used to make decisions about their care.
2. Right to Amend: If a patient feels that the PHI maintained by Affinity is incorrect or incomplete, they may request an amendment.
3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: Patients have the right to request an "accounting of disclosures," which is a list of the disclosures Affinity has made of the patient's PHI.
4. Right to Request Restrictions: Patients have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the PHI Affinity uses or discloses for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
5. Right to Request Confidential Communications: Patients have the right to request that Affinity communicate with them about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location.
V. Breach Notification
In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, Affinity will notify affected individuals as required by HIPAA and applicable state laws.
VI. Changes to this Privacy Policy
Affinity reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy and make the new provisions effective for all PHI it maintains. Revised policies will be made available to patients and posted on the Affinity website.
VII. Complaints
If a patient believes their privacy rights have been violated, they may file a complaint with Affinity or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
VIII. Contact Information
For further information about Affinity's privacy practices, patients can contact the Affinity Privacy Officer at the contact information provided in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
This policy is effective as of JULY 31, 2023.
This Privacy Policy outlines the practices of Affinity, Hospice and Palliative Care (hereinafter referred to as "Affinity") in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Affinity is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI) of our patients.
II. Definitions
Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium.
III. Use and Disclosure of PHI
Affinity may use and disclose PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
1. Treatment: Affinity may use and disclose PHI to provide, coordinate, manage, and administer care to patients.
2. Payment: Affinity may use and disclose PHI to obtain reimbursement for the care provided, including determinations of eligibility and coverage and other utilization review activities.
3. Healthcare Operations: Affinity may use and disclose PHI for the business activities of the hospice, which include quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competence or qualifications of healthcare professionals, and conducting training programs.
IV. Patient Rights
Under HIPAA, patients have the following rights concerning their PHI:
1. Right to Inspect and Copy: Patients have the right to inspect and copy PHI that may be used to make decisions about their care.
2. Right to Amend: If a patient feels that the PHI maintained by Affinity is incorrect or incomplete, they may request an amendment.
3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: Patients have the right to request an "accounting of disclosures," which is a list of the disclosures Affinity has made of the patient's PHI.
4. Right to Request Restrictions: Patients have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the PHI Affinity uses or discloses for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
5. Right to Request Confidential Communications: Patients have the right to request that Affinity communicate with them about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location.
V. Breach Notification
In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, Affinity will notify affected individuals as required by HIPAA and applicable state laws.
VI. Changes to this Privacy Policy
Affinity reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy and make the new provisions effective for all PHI it maintains. Revised policies will be made available to patients and posted on the Affinity website.
VII. Complaints
If a patient believes their privacy rights have been violated, they may file a complaint with Affinity or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
VIII. Contact Information
For further information about Affinity's privacy practices, patients can contact the Affinity Privacy Officer at the contact information provided in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
This policy is effective as of JULY 31, 2023.
