MIDLAND ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY P.C.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information, to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information. We must follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice while it is in effect. This Notice takes effect 10/06/2017, and will remain in effect until we replace it.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law, and to make new Notice provisions effective for all protected health information that we maintain. When we make a significant change in our privacy practices, we will change this Notice and post the new Notice clearly and prominently at our practice location, and we will provide copies of the new Notice upon request.
You may request a copy of our Notice at any time. For more information about our privacy practices, or for additional copies of this Notice, please contact us using the information listed at the end of this Notice.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
We may use and disclose your health information for different purposes, including treatment, payment, and health care operations. For each of these categories, we have provided a description and an example. Some information, such as HIV-related information, genetic information, alcohol and/or substance abuse records, and mental health records may be entitled to special confidentiality protections under applicable state or federal law. We will abide by these special protections as they pertain to applicable cases involving these types of records.
Treatment. We may use and disclose your health information for your treatment. For example, we may disclose your health information to a specialist providing treatment to you.
Payment. We may use and disclose your health information to obtain reimbursement for the treatment and services you receive from us or another entity involved with your care. Payment activities include billing, collections, claims management, and determinations of eligibility and coverage to obtain payment from you, an insurance company, or another third party. For example, we may send claims to your dental health plan containing certain health information.
Healthcare Operations. We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operations. For example, healthcare operations include quality assessment and improvement activities, conducting training programs, and licensing activities.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. We may disclose your health information to your family or friends or any other individual identified by you when they are involved in your care or in the payment for your care. Additionally, we may disclose information about you to a patient representative. If a person has the authority by law to make health care decisions for you, we will treat that patient representative the same way we would treat you with respect to your health information.
Required by Law. We may use or disclose your health information when we are required to do so by law.
Public Health Activities. We may disclose your health information for public health activities, including disclosures to:
o Prevent or control disease, injury or disability;
o Report child abuse or neglect;
o Report reactions to medications or problems with products or devices;
o Notify a person of a recall, repair, or replacement of products or devices;
o Notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or condition; or
o Notify the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS
Access. You have the right to look at or get copies of your health information, with limited exceptions. You must make the request in writing and may be asked for identification. You may obtain a form to request access by using the contact information listed at the end of this Notice. You may also request access by sending us a letter to the address at the end of this Notice. If you request information that we maintain on paper, we may provide photocopies. If you request information that we maintain electronically, you have the right to an electronic copy. We will use the form and format you request if readily producible. We will charge you a reasonable cost-based fee for the cost of supplies and labor of copying, and for postage if you want copies mailed to you. Contact us using the information listed at the end of this Notice for an explanation of our fee structure.
OFFICE FINANCIAL AND PAYMENT POLICIES
Patient Billing. For your convenience we accept cash, checks, Care Credit and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express). We deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients, therefore payment is due at the time service is rendered unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
You are fully responsible for all fees charged by this office regardless of your insurance coverage. Any remaining balance after your insurance has paid is your responsibility. Your prompt remittance is appreciated.
We make every effort to provide you with the finest surgical care and the most convenient financial options. To accomplish this we work hand in hand with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. If you have any problems or questions, please contact our staff. They are well informed and experienced.
Minor Patients. Any patient up until their 18th birthday is considered a minor. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient for consultations and treatment. The parent / legal guardian accompanying the minor is financially responsible, regardless of any agreements between the parents. For unaccompanied minors, we cannot legally provide non-emergency care.
Recording Devices. In order to protect our patient’s medical privacy, no audio or video recording is allowed throughout the office. I also agree not to distribute any audio or video recording in any way including social media sites.
Cancellations and Rescheduling Fees. Broken appointments adversely affect the ability of this office to maintain the highest standards of care. Therefore, if you fail to provide reasonable or advance notice that you will miss an appointment, a rescheduling fee will apply. The rescheduling fee must be received prior to your appointment being placed on our schedule again.