Privacy Policy
NPP/HIPPA
NOTICE OF HEALTH INFORMATION PRIVACY PRACTICES
Evolution Dermatology
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Our Responsibilities:
Evolution Dermatology is committed to maintaining the privacy of your health information. We are required by law to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. We will not use or disclose your health information except as described in this Notice. This Notice applies to all medical records created or received by Evolution Dermatology, including records received from other providers.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, in accordance with applicable law. Any changes to this Notice will apply to all health information we maintain, including information we created or received prior to the changes. We will make the updated Notice available upon request before any significant changes take effect.
Use & Disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI)
Treatment:
We may use and disclose your PHI in the course of providing or managing your healthcare. This may include coordinating care with third parties such as pharmacies, radiology facilities, or other healthcare providers involved in your treatment.
Payment:
We may use or disclose your PHI to obtain payment for healthcare services. Such uses or disclosures may include disclosures to your health insurer to get approval for a recommended procedure or to determine whether you are eligible for benefits or whether a particular service is covered under your health plan. We may also disclose your PHI to another provider where that provider is involved in your care and requires the information to obtain payment.
Healthcare Operations:
We may use and disclose your PHI for various operational purposes, including quality evaluations, administrative activities, staff training, audits, and business management. Health care operations may include: (1) quality evaluations and improvement activities; (2) employee review activities and training programs; (3) accreditation, certification, licensing, or credentialing activities; (4) reviews and audits such as compliance reviews, medical reviews, legal services, and maintaining compliance programs; and (5) business management and general administrative activities. In addition, we may disclose your protected health information to another provider or health plan for their operations.
Other Uses and Disclosures:
We may use or disclose your PHI to remind you of appointments, inform you of treatment options, notify you about health-related services, or follow up with you on care provided.
Uses & Disclosures to Which You May Object
Family/Friends:
We may disclose your PHI to a family member, friend, or caregiver involved in your care or who helps pay for your care. We may also provide information to assist in a disaster relief effort so that your family can be notified about your condition.
If you object to the use of your PHI in this manner, please inform us.
Uses & Disclosures That Are Required or Permitted Without Your Authorization
Research:
Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose your PHI for clinical research purposes. In most cases, research studies require your specific consent, but in some cases, a retrospective record review may occur without patient contact.
Regulatory Agencies:
We may disclose your PHI to government or private health oversight agencies, such as the Department of Public Health or the Board of Medical Examiners, for purposes authorized by law, including licensure, certification, audits, and investigations.
Law Enforcement/Litigation:
We may disclose your PHI for law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to a court order or other process in litigation
Public Health:
We are required by law to disclose your PHI to public health authorities to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability, such as reporting communicable diseases.
Workers’ Compensation:
We may disclose your PHI for workers’ compensation or similar programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses.
Military/Veterans:
If you are a member of the armed forces, we may disclose your PHI to military authorities as required by law.
Organ Procurement Organizations:
We may disclose your PHI to organ procurement organizations involved in tissue donation and transplantation, as permitted by law.
As Otherwise Required by Law:
We will disclose your PHI when required by law, such as in cases of child abuse or domestic violence, or any other situation permitted under HIPAA and its regulations.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
Other than the circumstances described above, we will not disclose your PHI unless you provide written authorization. This includes most situations involving the sale of PHI, marketing purposes, or psychotherapy records. You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time except to the extent that we have already taken action in reliance upon the authorization.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
Although the records of your treatment obtained by Evolution Dermatology are the property of Evolution Dermatology, you have the following rights regarding your PHI:
Right to Confidential Communications:
You have the right to request that we communicate your PHI by alternative means or at alternative locations, such as by phone or mail.
Access to Your Health Information:
You may request access to or copies of your health information, with limited exceptions. We will provide copies in your requested format unless it is not practical to do so. You must make a request in writing to obtain access to your health information, and you may incur a reasonable fee for copies, mailing, and staff time. To obtain access, please contact the Compliance Officer at 720-738-7770.
Right to Amend:
You may request an amendment to your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny your request under certain circumstances, but if we agree to the amendment, it will be included in your medical record.
Records Transfer:
If our practice is sold or merged with another organization, your records may be transferred to the new owner. However, you may request that copies of your PHI be sent to another healthcare provider
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures:
You may request a list of disclosures of your PHI made outside of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Right to Request Restrictions:
You may request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed. We are required to comply with your request not to disclose PHI to your health plan if you pay for services out-of-pocket, unless required by law.
Right to Receive a Copy of this Notice:
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice upon request, even if you have received it electronically.
Right to Revoke Authorization:
You may revoke your authorization to use or disclose your PHI, except where action has already been taken based on your authorization.
Right to Notice of Breach of Security:
If your unsecured PHI is breached, you have the right to be notified.
Right to Opt Out of Marketing Communications:
You may opt out of receiving marketing, promotional, or fundraising communications.
For More Information or to Exercise These Rights:
If you have questions or need more information, please contact the Compliance Officer at 720-738-7770.
If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Evolution Dermatology or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Complaints may be submitted to the Compliance Officer in writing at the contact number above. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.
Notice Effective Date:
This Notice is effective for all protected health information created on or after January 2, 2023.