Privacy Practices
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective Date: 04/18/2011
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
CANCER CARE NORTHWEST is required by law to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices. CANCER CARE NORTHWEST will request that you sign a form to acknowledge you have received a copy of this notice. The acknowledgment form will become a permanent part of your medical record.
CANCER CARE NORTHWEST respects your privacy and we understand that your personal health information is very sensitive. Your protected health information includes your symptoms, test results, diagnoses, treatment, health information from other providers, and billing and payment information relating to these services.
We will not use or disclose your health information to others without your written authorization, except as described in this Notice, or as required by law.
USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
The law protects the privacy of the health information we create and obtain in providing your care and services to you. Federal and state law allows us to use and disclose your protected health information without your authorization for the following purposes:
Treatment
o Information obtained by a nurse, physician or other member of our health team will be recorded in your medical record and used by members of our health care team to help decide what care may be right for you.
o We may also provide information to health care providers outside of CANCER CARE NORTHWEST who are providing care to you or for a referral.
o Appointment reminders
Payment
o We request payment from your health insurance plan. Health plans need information from us about your medical care.
o We will bill the person you tell us is responsible for paying for your care if it is not covered by your health plan.
Health Care Operations
o We may use your medical records to assess quality and improve services.
o We may use and/or disclosure your and disclosure your medical records to review the qualifications and performance of our health care providers and to train our staff.
o Audit functions, including fraud and abuse detection and compliance programs.
o Government health and safety oversight activities
o De-indentifying information – We may use your protected health information by removing any information that could be used to identify you.
o Disaster relief
o Military, Veteran and Department of State
o Lawsuits and disputes – We are permitted to disclose protected health information in the course of judicial/administrative proceedings at your request, or as directed by a subpoena or court order.
o National Security
o Worker’s Compensation
o Coroners, health examiners and funeral directors
o Organ and tissue donation
o As required by law: reporting of crimes i.e. gunshot wounds; in response to court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process; to avert a serious threat to health and/or safety; public health risks.
o Correctional institutions – if you are an inmate of a correctional institution or in the custody of law enforcement
o Food and Drug Administration – reporting of adverse events, product defects or recalls
o To report suspected abuse or neglect
o We will disclose your protected health information to a friend or family member who is involved with your medical care or to someone who helps pay for your care
CANCER CARE NORTHWEST may use or disclose protected health information, your demographic information, for fundraising activities. If you would like to opt out of fundraising activities, please call the Privacy Officer at 509.228.1300.
CANCER CARE NORTHWEST may use or disclose protected health information for marketing activities when marketing our own products or services. CANCER CARE NORTHWEST will obtain a signed marketing authorization from you anytime CANCER CARE NORTHWEST receives a direct or indirect payment to make such communications.
YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS
o Right to inspect and copy information
o Right to amend or correct your information
o Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
o Right to request restriction on release of information
o Right to request confidential communications
o Right to ask CANCER CARE NORTHWEST to review a denial of access to your health information
o Right to file a complaint with CANCER CARE NORTHWEST or the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Svcs.
o Right to a paper copy of this Notice
o Right to request that health information be provided to you by another means or at another location
o Right to restrict disclosure of health information to your health plan for services you have personally paid for
The following requests to CANCER CARE NORTHWEST must be made in writing (forms available at our reception and nursing desks, and in the Health Information Management department):
o Request to inspect or view your protected health information
o Request for paper copies of information in your medical record
o Requests and authorizations to share your information with anyone not directly involved with your care i.e. attorney, accountant, employer etc
o Request to restrict the release of your protected health information to anyone
o Request for Cancer Care Northwest to review a denial of access to your health information
o To revoke any previous authorization or request
If you have questions about CANCER CARE NORTHWEST’s Privacy Notice, or if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact the Privacy Officer at 509.228.1000. You will not be retaliated against or penalized for filing a complaint.
If you have questions about Cancer Care Northwest's Privacy Notice, or if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact the Safety and Compliance Officer at 509-228-1317. You will not be retaliated against or penalized for filing a complaint.
If you believe your personal and/or financial information has been breached, you can place a fraud alert on your credit report. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the two other credit bureaus will automatically be notified to place alerts on your credit report, and all three reports will be sent to you free of charge.
Equifax: 1-888-202-4025
www.equifax.com
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com