HIPAA Privacy Policy for The Tongue & Body Connection
Effective Date: October 7, 2024
At The Tongue & Body Connection we are committed to protecting the privacy of your health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This policy explains how we handle your Protected Health Information (PHI), your rights regarding your health information, and how you can exercise those rights.
Your Rights Under HIPPA
You have the following rights regarding your PHI:
Right to Access: You can request copies of your medical and billing records.
Right to Amend: If you believe your records are incorrect, you may request an amendment.
Right to Request Restrictions: You can request limitations on how we use or share your PHI.
Right to Confidential Communications: You can specify how you would like us to communicate with you about medical matters.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may ask for a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI.
Right to File a Complaint: You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
Who can look at and receive your health information
The Privacy Rule sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. To make sure that your health information is protected in a way that does not interfere with your health care, your information can be used and shared:
Uses and Disclosures of Your Health Information
The Privacy Rule sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. To make sure that your health information is protected in a way that does not interfere with your health care, we use and disclose your PHI in the following ways:
Treatment: To provide you with healthcare services and coordinate with other healthcare providers involved in your care.
Payment: To bill you for services provided.
Healthcare Operations: To manage and improve the quality of our services, including staff training and compliance with regulatory standards.
Protection of Your Health Information
We take the protection of your health information seriously and use the following safeguards:
Administrative Safeguards: Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that only authorized personnel access your PHI.
Physical Safeguards: Access to physical records is restricted, and electronic devices are secured.
Technical Safeguards: Encryption technology is used to protect PHI stored electronically and during data transmission.
Disclosures Without Your Consent
In certain circumstances, we may disclose your PHI without your consent, such as:
Public Health and Safety: To report certain health information for public health activities.
Law Enforcement: To comply with court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes.
As Required by Law: When required by federal, state, or local law.
Authorization to Use or Disclose Health Information
Except for the uses and disclosures described in this policy, we will not use or disclose your health information without your written authorization. You may revoke this authorization at any time in writing.
Breach Notification
In the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI, we will notify you in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to update this HIPAA policy at any time. If we make significant changes, we will update the policy on our website and notify you through appropriate communication channels.
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Filing a complaint will not affect the quality of care you receive from us.
Contact Us
For questions about this HIPAA policy or your health information, please contact us at:
Email: heather@thetongueandbodyconnection.com