There is a new Federal Law that is called Helath Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act better known as HIPAA. This new
law is regarding privacy for patients. This law was passed in 1996
and the implementaion time was April 14, 2003. We have been preparing
for implementaion of this law and this is how it will will affect
you in our Health Clinic, Dentail Clinic, and Pharmacy.
- When you come in for your appointments, you need to allow an extra 10 minutes
prior to your appointment to update your patient information and to learn about HIPAA.
- We will have someone talk with you to help you understand your rights as a patient.
- Staff will have you sign a form that says you have been informed of your rights.
This process will happen one time, but you may ask questions about your privacy rights
any time.
- The only information that will be shared will be information that needs to be shared
for treatment and billing.
- We are no longer allowed to share information such as whether your family
member is in the clinic or not. We must have releases of information from
you to share information with anyone about you.
- There is a privacy officer that will hear concerns and complaints from
you about privacy
- All Children must have a parent or guardian with them in the clinic.
- We must have releases from the patient if someone other than the patient
picks up medication at the pharmacy.
These are a few point that we wanted to share with you to help you understand some
of the changes that we are experiencing. We are sorry for any inconvienance that this
causes you, but we want to assur your privacy and to abide by the new Federal Law.
We thank you for your patience in our new intake process and we wish you Good Health and Wellness.
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