95 Carroll St., Suite 101, Westminster, MD 21157

(410) 784-4747

Contact:  service@carrollpregnancy.org

Effective Date of Notice: June 29, 2022

PSC NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This notice explains your rights and some of our responsibilities. Please review it carefully.

You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.

•You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.  We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

•You can ask us to correct health information about you or your medical record if you think is incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.  We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.

•You can request confidential communication or ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address.  We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.

•You can ask us to limit or not to use or share certain health information for treatment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.

•You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.  We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.

•You can choose someone to act for you. If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.  We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.

•You can file a complaint if you feel your rights are violated.  You can complain by contacting us.  You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.  We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.

We use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.

Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health condition.

Run our organization

We also use or share your health information in the following ways:

To treat you

To run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary.

Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services.

To help with public health and safety issues including:    

•             Preventing disease

•             Helping with product recalls

•             Reporting adverse reactions to medications

•             Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence

•             Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety

For health research.

If state or federal laws require it, including the Department of Health and Human Services to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law or with other health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law.

To comply with law enforcement, for law enforcement purposes or with law enforcement officials and other government requests, in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena. Information may also be shared to respond to lawsuits and legal actions.

Our Responsibilities:

•We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.

•We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.

•We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.

•We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.

For more information: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.

Changes to the Terms of this Notice

We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our website.