Notice of Center Privacy Practices

This notice describes how personal information about you given to this center may be disclosed and how you can access this information. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

 This center does not engage in any transactions covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The privacy practices described in this notice are voluntarily undertaken and is NOT INTENDED TO CREATE ANY CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS.  We reserve the right to modify our privacy practices and this notice at any time. The most recent copy of this Notice is available upon request or may be downloaded from our website: www.alphalifepc.org

 1. Safeguarding Your Personal Information

Individually identifiable information about you, including your SSN, date of birth, home address, telephone number, relationship with this organization, presenting concerns, or services received are considered “Protected Personal Information” (PPI). We will extend certain protections to your PPI.  This Notice explains how, when, and why we may use or disclose your PPI. Except in specified circumstances, we will only use or disclose the minimum necessary PPI to accomplish the intended purpose of the use or disclosure.

 

2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Protected Personal Information

We use and disclose PPI for a variety of reasons. We may use and/or disclose your PPI internally to manage your case.  For uses beyond that, we will ordinarily obtain your written authorization.  The following offers more description and some examples of the potential uses and disclosures of your PPI:

 

  • Uses and Disclosures Relating to Operations. We restrict access to your PHI to health care personnel involved in providing you with care, other personnel involved in providing care and services to you, and external vendors or subcontractors who perform services ancillary to your care. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to restrict access to your PHI. Also, we may use and/or disclose your PHI as may be reasonably necessary while operating this facility, including to assess quality and improve services. We may also send or communicate appointment reminders, treatment options, or test results through service providers, subject to our normal confidentiality policies and any special instructions you have given.  

 

  • Uses and Disclosures for Which Special Authorization Will Be Sought. For uses beyond operational purposes, we will ordinarily seek to obtain your authorization before disclosing your PPI.  However, disclosure of your PPI may be made without your consent or authorization when required by law, when necessary to avert a threat of harm to you or a third person, or when other circumstances may require or reasonably warrant such disclosure.

3. How You May Have Access to Your Protected Personal Information.  

The following is a description of the steps you may take to access or otherwise control the disposition of your PHI:

 To request restrictions on uses/disclosures: You may ask that we limit how we use or disclose your PPI.  We will consider your request, but we are not legally bound to agree to the restriction. To the extent that we do agree to such restrictions, we will abide by such restrictions except in emergency situations. We cannot agree to limit uses/disclosures that are required by law.

  • To choose how we contact you: You may ask that we send you information at an alternative address or by alternative means. We will agree to your request so long as it is reasonably easy for us to do so.

  • To inspect and copy your PPI: You will be permitted to inspect your PPI and/or obtain a copy upon written request. We will respond to your request within 21 days. A reasonable fee for copies over 10 pages may be charged.

  • To request amendment of your PPI: If you believe there is a mistake or missing information in our record of your PPI, you may request in writing that we correct or add to the record. We will respond within 45 days of receiving your request. Any denial will state the reasons for the denial. If we approve the request for amendment, we will change the PPI and so inform you.

  • To find out what disclosures have been made: You may request for us to provide you with a list of all disclosures of your PPI which we have made (except for such disclosures as have been made in connection with services you have received or our operations, or as specifically required by law). We will respond to your request within 45 days of receiving it. 

 To receive this notice: You may receive a paper or electronic copy of this notice upon request.


4. If your PHI security is compromised

If PPI is acquired, used or disclosed in a manner that is not permitted under this notice or that compromises the security or privacy of that PPI, (referred to as a “compromise”), we will provide appropriate notice of such compromise without unreasonable delay and in no case later than 60 days after the discovery of the compromise. We may delegate this responsibility to a subcontractor. However, you will be responsible for taking any additional steps you deem necessary to protect your identity and security.

 5. Contacting the Privacy Information Officer

To request any information or submit any request regarding your PHI described in #3 above or to express concerns about our privacy practices if you believe your privacy has been compromised, please contact:

 Alpha Life Pregnancy Center, Inc.  Email:  info@alphalifepc.org

 6. Acknowledgement:  I have received and reviewed a copy of this Notice.