Palm Beach Staffing Home Health Privacy Notice

The misuse of individually identifiable health information (PHI) has been identified as a national problem causing patients inconvenience, aggravation and money.  Palm Beach Staffing Home Health wants you to know that all of our employees, managers and nurses continually undergo training so that they may understand and comply with government rules and regulations regarding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) with particular emphasis on the privacy rule.

It is policy to properly determine appropriate use of PHI in accordance with governmental rules, regulations and laws.  We want to ensure that we do not participate in the improper disclosure of PHI.  As a part of this plan we have implemented a compliance program that we believe will help us prevent any inappropriate use of PHI.  Palm Beach Staffing Home Health is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your PHI.  This notice became effective April 14, 2003, is continually reviewed for accuracy and timeliness and is updated as necessary.

 Uses and Disclosures of your Personal Health Information

We will use and disclose your PHI in the following ways:

Except as explained below, we will not use or disclose your PHI for any purpose unless you have signed a form authorizing such use or disclosure.  The specific policy regarding the authorization is detailed later in the section of this document regarding your rights.

	Treatment  In order to best address your health care needs we will use the information in your medical records with all treatments and/or services documented in your medical records. PHI may be disclosed to other health care professionals outside of Palm Beach Staffing Home Health who are directly involved in your care.
	Payment  We will use and disclose your PHI as necessary to bill and collect payment for services and items rendered by us to you.  Recipients of this disclosure could include, but may not be limited to: insurance companies, other family members who are responsible for paying your bill and those identified as having power of attorney.
	Health Care Operations  We will disclose your PHI as necessary for your health care operations. The evaluation of care received, cost management and business planning activities, quality assessment, quality improvement, medical reviews and compliance issues are some examples of health care operations. This listing is not all inclusive and other areas may be identified as imperative to health care operations.
	Appointments and Reminders  We may need to remind you of medical appointments or follow ups for certain treatments.
	Non-Medical Communications  We may send you a birthday, a holiday card or perhaps a newsletter.
	Release of Information to Family/Friends  We may release PHI to a family member or friend that is involved in your care or who assists in taking care of you.  This disclosure will only be such that is relevant to their involvement with your care or paying for your care.
	Other Disclosures Required by Law  In certain circumstances we may be required by local, state or federal law to disclose PHI.
	Business Associate  Certain aspects and components of our services are performed by independent contractors, outside people or organizations pursuant to agreements or contracts. We require Business Associates to properly and appropriately safeguard your PHI.

You have certain rights regarding your Personal Health Information.  They include the following:

Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that Palm Beach Staffing Home Health communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or location.  For instance you may request that we call you at home rather than at work.  Such requests must be in writing and must be directed to the HIPAA Privacy Officer, Palm Beach Staffing Home Health, 1261 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL  33406.  We will accommodate reasonable requests.  You do not have to give a reason for your request.

Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction in the use of your PHI for treatment, payment and operations.  We are not required to agree to your request, however if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies or when the information is necessary in order to treat you.  To request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your PHI you must make your request in writing to the HIPAA Privacy Officer, Palm Beach Staffing Home Health, 1261 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL  33406. Each request must be described in a clear and concise manner with:

	The information you wish restricted;
	Whether you are re requesting to limit Palm Beach Staffing Home Health's usage, disclosure or both;
	To whom you want the limits to apply.

Inspection and Copies of Records
You have a right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI that may be used to make decisions about you, including medical and billing records.  A fee may be charged for copies and associated labor and an appointment must be set up in order for you to inspect your PHI.  A request to inspect your PHI must be made in writing to the HIPAA Privacy Officer, Palm Beach Staffing Home Health, 1261 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL  33406.

Amendments
You may ask us to amend your PHI if you believe it to be incorrect. Any requests for amendment must be made in writing to the HIPAA Privacy Officer, Palm Beach Staffing Home Health, 1261 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL  33406.  You must provide a reason supporting your request for amendment.  We may deny your request if it is our opinion that the PHI is accurate and complete or not a part of the PHI created by Palm Beach Staffing Home Health.

Accounting of Disclosures
You have a right to an accounting of disclosures for non-routine disclosures of PHI.  Non-routine disclosures of PHI would be disclosures made for non-treatment, non-payment or non-operations purposes.  All requests for disclosure accounting must be made in writing to the HIPAA Privacy Officer, Palm Beach Staffing Home Health, 1261 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL  33406. All such requests must state a time period, which may not be longer than six (6) years from the date of disclosure and may not include dates before April 14, 2003  Copy and labor charges may apply.  It is the policy of Palm Beach Staffing Home Health not to disclose PHI for any reason other than treatment, payment and operations.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time.

Right to File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated you may make a complaint with Palm Beach Staffing Home Health or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  To file a complaint with Palm Beach Staffing Home Health contact the HIPAA Privacy Officer, Palm Beach Staffing Home Health, 1261 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL  33406.  You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Right to Provide an Authorization for Other Uses and Disclosures
Palm Beach Staffing Home Health will obtain your written consent for uses and disclosures that are not permitted by applicable law.  Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your PHI may be revoked at any time in writing.  A revocation is not retroactive and can not be used to revoke an action already in progress or completed which was based upon a previous authorization.  A revocation must also be in writing and directed to the HIPAA Privacy Officer, Palm Beach Staffing Home Health, 1261 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL  33406.