COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY AND OTHERS
Health professionals using their best judgment and the authority conveyed by the Laws of the State of Arkansas may disclose to a parent and/or guardian, or other person you identify and authorize to have access to health information relevant to that person’s involvement in your care or payment related to your care. We may use or disclose information to notify and assist in notifying a family member, personal representation, or another person responsible for your care, your location, and general condition.
LEGAL
There are several situations where we might be required by law, law enforcement, courts or regulators to release some or all of a client’s protected health information, whether or not you authorize such a release. Examples include, but are not limited to certain information we are required to release to the Medical Examiner, Public Health agencies, Workers Compensation Administrators, Law Enforcement Officers, Judicial Proceedings, and others.
OTHER USES OF PHI / MARKETING
As a part of our healthcare services, we may recommend or discuss options that relate to your treatment. Other uses and disclosures of PHI not covered by this Notice or the laws that apply to us (such as marketing or sale of PHI), will be made only with your written authorization. Additionally, psychotherapy notes will not be disclosed without your written authorization. If you provide us authorization to use or disclose your PHI, you may revoke that permission, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your PHI for the reasons covered by your written authorization. You understand that we are unable to take back any disclosures we have already made with your authorization, and that we are required to retain our records of that care that we provided to you. Send all revocation requests to:
Mid-South Health Systems, Inc.
Attention: Privacy Officer
2707 Browns Lane
Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401
Phone: 870−972−4046
CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALCOHOL/SUBSTANCE ABUSE PATIENT RECORDS
The confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records maintained by this program is protected by federal law and regulations. Generally, the program may not say to a person outside the program that a patient attends the program, or disclose any information identifying a patient as an alcohol or drug abuser unless one of the following conditions is met: (1) the patient consents in writing; (2) the disclosure is allowed by a court order; (3) the disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency or to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluation.
Violation of the federal law and regulations by a program is a crime. Suspected violations may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with federal regulations. Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about a crime committed by a patient either at the program or against any person who works for the program or about any threat to commit such a crime. Federal laws and regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under state law to appropriate state or local authorities.
AUTHORIZATIONS
For most other uses and disclosures of information, we will require a signed authorization by the client before providing a third party with access to your individually identifiable health information. Most other uses and disclosures will be made only with the individual’s written consent or authorization and the individual may revoke such authorization at any time.
MINIMUM NECESSARY
Even though we can lawfully use and disclose your health information under a variety of circumstances, we always try to limit the information to the minimum necessary. This sometimes requires the exercise of professional judgment.
Effective Date: September 23, 2013.
Revised: 9/17/13 5015