HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Desert View Counseling and Consulting Inc.
This Notice describes how medical and mental health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can obtain access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Our Commitment to Protecting Your Privacy
Desert View Counseling and Consulting Inc, is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your Protected Health Information (“PHI”). PHI includes information about your mental health condition, treatment, prescriptions, appointment history, billing information, and other identifying health information.
We are required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable Arizona law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your health information
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
- Notify you in the event of a breach involving your protected health information
Arizona law also requires healthcare providers to maintain confidentiality of medical records except as permitted or required by law.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use and disclose your PHI without your written authorization for the following purposes:
Treatment
We may use your health information to provide mental health treatment and medication management services. This may include sharing information with other healthcare professionals involved in your care such as physicians, therapists, pharmacies, laboratories, hospitals, or emergency providers.
Medication Management and Prescription Monitoring
If your treatment includes prescription medications, including controlled substances such as stimulants or benzodiazepines, we may access or report information to the Arizona Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP) as required by law.
Payment
We may use and disclose PHI to obtain payment for services provided to you. This may include communication with insurance companies, billing services, or pharmacy benefit managers.
Healthcare Operations
We may use PHI for administrative and operational activities necessary to run our practice, including:
- Quality improvement and clinical review
- Staff supervision and training
- Compliance and auditing activities
- Licensing and accreditation requirements
- Practice management and administrative functions
Telehealth Services
If you receive services through telehealth, we may use secure electronic systems to deliver care. Telehealth services may involve secure video platforms, electronic prescribing systems, and electronic health record systems. We take reasonable safeguards to protect your privacy when using these technologies.
Appointment Reminders and Communication
We may contact you regarding your care using phone calls, voicemail, email, text messages, or secure patient portals to:
- Schedule or remind you of appointments
- Provide care-related information
- Coordinate treatment
You may request alternative communication methods at any time.
Situations Where Disclosure May Be Required or Permitted
We may disclose PHI when required or permitted by law, including:
- Public health reporting requirements
- Preventing serious threats to health or safety
- Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
- Court orders or legal proceedings
- Health oversight activities and audits
- Law enforcement investigations
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights regarding your PHI:
Right to Access Your Records
You may request access to or copies of your health records.
Right to Request Amendments
You may request corrections to information in your record if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed.
Right to Confidential Communication
You may request that we contact you through specific methods or locations.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI made by the practice.
Right to Receive a Copy of This Notice
You have the right to receive a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to revise this Notice at any time. Updated versions will apply to all health information we maintain and will be made available on our website and upon request.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Filing a complaint will not affect the care you receive.
