Notice of Privacy Practices
As a requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA as it is commonly known, the clinic must publish the Notice of Privacy Practices on its website...

THE FOLLOWING NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION CAREFULLY.

Uses and Disclosures: We will use and disclose elements of your protected health information (PHI) in the following ways:

With your consent:

• Your confidential healthcare information may be released to other healthcare professionals within the clinic for the purpose of providing you with quality healthcare.
  

• Your confidential healthcare information may be released to your insurance provider for the purpose of the clinic receiving payment for providing you with needed healthcare services.
  

Without your consent:

• Your confidential healthcare information may be released to other healthcare providers in the event you need emergency care.
  

• Your confidential healthcare information may be released to a public health organization or federal organization in the event of a communicable disease or to report a defective device or untoward event to a biological product (food or medication).
  

• Your confidential healthcare information may be released to public or law enforcement officials in the event of an investigation in which you are a victim of abuse, a crime or domestic violence.

Special cases:

• You may be contacted by the clinic to remind you of any appointments, healthcare treatment options or other health services that may be of interest to you.
  

Your rights: You have the following rights concerning your PHI

• Your confidential healthcare information may not be released for any other purpose than that which is identified in this notice.
  

• Your confidential healthcare information may be released only after receiving written authorization from you. You may revoke your permission to release confidential healthcare information at any time.
  

• You have the right to restrict the use of your confidential healthcare information. However, the clinic may chose to refuse your restriction if it is in conflict of providing you with quality healthcare or in the event of an emergency situation.
  

• You have the right to receive confidential communication about your health status.
  

• You have the right to review and photocopy any/all portions of your healthcare information.
  

• You have the right to make changes to your healthcare information.
  

• You have the right to know who has accessed your confidential healthcare information and for what purpose.
  

• You have the right to possess a copy of this Privacy Notice upon request. This copy can be in the form of an electronic transmission or on paper.

Our Duties:

• The clinic is required by law to protect the privacy of its patients. It will keep confidential any and all patient healthcare information and will provide patients with a list of duties or practices that protect confidential healthcare information.
  

• The clinic will make all e-mail messages sent or received that concern your diagnosis or treatment part of your medical record and will treat such e-mail messages with the same degree of confidentiality as afforded other portions of the medical record. The Guam SDA Clinic will use reasonable means to protect the security and confidentiality of e-mail information and will gain your informed consent to the use of e-mail for confidential medical information when sent outside our facility.
  

• The clinic will abide by the terms of this notice. The clinic reserves the right to make changes to this notice and continue to maintain the confidentiality of all healthcare information. A notice of revision will be posted and copies will be make available at the reception desks.
  

• You have the right to complain to the clinic if you believe your rights to privacy have been violated. If you feel your privacy rights have been violated, please mail your complaint to the clinic:
  

• All complaints will be investigated. No personal issue will be raised for filing a complaint with the clinic.
  

• For further information about this Privacy Notice, please contact:

• This notice is effective as of 15 April 2003.