NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES FOR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION.  THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL AND DRUG & ALCOHOL RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.  PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

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     GENERAL INFORMATION

Information regarding your health care, including payment for health care, is protected by two federal laws: the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) 42 U.S.C. §1320d et seq., 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 & 164, and the Confidentiality Law, 42 U.S.C. §290dd-2, 42 C.F.R. Part 2. Under these laws The Next Chapter may not say to a person outside of The Next Chapter that you attend the program, nor may The Next Chapter disclose any information identifying you as an alcohol or drug abuser, or disclose any other protected information except as permitted by federal law.

 

The Next Chapter must obtain your written consent before it can disclose information about you for payment purposes.  For example, The Next Chapter must obtain your written consent before it can disclose information to your health insurer in order to be paid for services.  Generally, you must also sign a written consent before The Next Chapter can share information for treatment purposes or for health care operations.  However, federal law permits The Next Chapter to disclose information without your written permission:

 

• Pursuant to an agreement with a qualified service organization/business associate.

• For example, The Next Chapter can discuss information without your consent to obtain legal or accounting services for our company’s business needs, as long as there is a qualified service organization agreement/business associate agreement in place.

• For research, audit or evaluations.

  • For example, state licensing agencies conduct yearly reviews of our programs to ensure compliance with operating regulations.  This includes reviewing some of our client files.  Auditors conducting such reviews are required by law to maintain your confidentiality.

• To report a crime committed on the premises of The Next Chapter or against The Next Chapter personnel.

  • For example, The Next Chapter may report you to the police if you commit a crime on The Next Chapter, or if you commit a crime against a The Next Chapter clinician (even if it occurs on property not owned or leased by The Next Chapter).

• To medical personnel in a medical emergency.

  • For example, The Next Chapter call 911 should you need emergency medical assistance.  Only information pertinent to the emergency will be released.

• To appropriate authorities to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

  • For example, The Next Chapter will contact state agencies involved in the investigation of child abuse and neglect should it appear that you or someone else is involved in or was recently involved in such behavior.

• As allowed by court order.

  • For example, The Next Chapter will respond to a proper order from the court.  We will release only the information necessary to follow the order of the court and within the legal limits as set forth by federal confidentiality laws.

Before The Next Chapter can use or disclose any information about your health in a manner that is not described above, a specific written consent must be obtained from you allowing The Next Chapter to make the disclosure.  Any such written consent may be revoked by you in writing.

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     YOUR RIGHTS

Under HIPAA you have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information.  The Next Chapter is not required to agree to any restrictions you request, but if it does agree then it is bound by that agreement and may not use or disclose any information which you have restricted except as necessary in a medical emergency.

 

You have the right to request that we communicate with you by alternative means or at an alternative location.  For example, you might want us to contact you by cell phone rather than your home phone, or, you might prefer that your invoices be mailed to a location other than your home.  The Next Chapter will accommodate such requests that are reasonable and will not request an explanation from you.  Under HIPAA you also have a right to inspect and copy your own health information maintained by The Next Chapter, except to the extent that the information contains psychotherapy notes or information compiled for use in a civil, criminal or administrative proceeding or in other limited circumstances.

 

Under HIPAA you also have the right, with some exceptions, to amend health care information maintained in The Next Chapter records, and to request and receive an accounting of the disclosures of your health related information made by The Next Chapter direction during the six years prior to your request.  You also have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice.

 

      DUTIES OF THE NEXT CHAPTER

The Next Chapter is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with notice of its legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information.   The Next Chapter is required by law to abide by the terms of this notice.  The Next Chapter reserves the right to change the terms of this notice and to make the new notice provisions effective for all protected health information it maintains.  In the event of this notice being revised, all current and active clients will be given a paper copy of the revised notice.  The revised notice will also be posted on our website: www.thenextchapterICT.org 

 

      COMPLAINTS AND REPORTING VIOLATIONS

You may complain to The Next Chapter and the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services if you believe that your privacy rights have been violated under HIPAA.  To file a privacy complaint with The Next Chapter please contact:

 

Janel R Sanford, LSCSW, LMAC

300 W Douglas, Suite 205, Wichita, Kansas  67202

316-759-9136

 

To file a privacy complaint with the United States Department of Health and Human Services contact the office listed below:

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Office for Civil Rights

Department of Health & Human Services

601 East 12th Street - Room 248, Kansas City, MO 64106

Phone:  (816) 426-7278, Fax (816) 426-3686

 

Violation of the Confidentiality Law by a program is a crime.  Suspected violations of the Confidentiality Law may be reported to the U.S. Attorney in the district where the violation occurs. 

 

You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.