This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
1. OUR LEGAL DUTY
Heart & Vascular Care of Georgia (“the Practice”) is required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI).
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
- Notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI, as required by law.
This Notice applies to all records of your care maintained by the Practice, whether created by physicians, staff, or business associates acting on our behalf.
2. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
A. Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your cardiovascular care. This includes sharing information with physicians, nurses, technicians, referring providers, hospitals, laboratories, and other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
B. Payment
We may use and disclose PHI to bill and collect payment for services, including:
- Insurance verification
- Claims submission
- Eligibility checks
- Prior authorizations
- Appeals and collections
C. Healthcare Operations
We may use PHI for practice operations, including:
- Quality improvement activities
- Medical reviews and audits
- Compliance and licensing
- Business planning and administration
- Training and credentialing
3. OTHER PERMITTED OR REQUIRED DISCLOSURES
We may disclose PHI without your authorization in the following circumstances:
- As required by federal or Georgia state law.
- Public health activities (e.g., disease reporting).
- Health oversight activities (audits, investigations, inspections).
- Legal proceedings (court orders, subpoenas).
- Law enforcement purposes, as permitted by law.
- To prevent a serious threat to health or safety.
- Workers’ compensation claims.
- Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors.
4. USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
We will not use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:
- Marketing
- Sale of PHI
- Most uses of psychotherapy notes (if applicable)
Note: You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent action has already been taken.
5. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the following rights regarding your medical records:
- Access and Copies: Request access to or copies of your medical records, in paper or electronic form.
- Amendments: Request correction or amendment of your medical records if you believe information is incorrect or incomplete.
- Accounting of Disclosures: Request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI made by the Practice.
- Request Restrictions: Request limitations on how your PHI is used or disclosed. (We are not required to agree to all requests.)
- Confidential Communications: Request communications by alternative means or at alternative locations.
- Copy of This Notice: Request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
6. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS & PATIENT PORTAL
We utilize secure electronic systems, including the healow patient portal, to communicate with patients and provide access to health information.
- Use of the patient portal is voluntary and subject to the portal provider’s security and privacy safeguards.
- Patients acknowledge that electronic communications may carry inherent risks despite reasonable safeguards.
7. BREACH NOTIFICATION
In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, we will notify affected individuals in accordance with federal and state law.
8. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change this Notice and make the revised Notice effective for all PHI we maintain. Updated Notices will be posted on our website and available upon request.
9. COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
- Our Privacy Officer
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
10. CONTACT INFORMATION – PRIVACY OFFICER
Heart and Vascular Care of Georgia Address: 505 Jenkins St, LaGrange, GA 30240, United States
Phone: (706) 407-0161
Website: https://www.havcog.com/
