Privacy Notice

 

USE OR DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION

Use or disclosure of medical information without authorization

The health center is allowed by federal or state law or regulation to disclose medical information without authorization from the patient or legally recognized representative in the following circumstances:

• In medical emergency situations medical information about a patient may be disclosed to another medical professional or facility taking care of the patient and, as necessary, to a patient’s family member.
• When a patient is being referred to another provider or facility for medical care, information that the receiving provider or facility needs to take care of the patient may be disclosed to the receiving facility.
• Insurance companies paying for services delivered to a patient are able to receive information about the services they are paying for.
• Licensing or accrediting agencies receive information about patients in order for them to decide if the health center is providing good medical care.
• The health center is required by state law to report suspected cases of abuse, neglect and domestic violence to state agencies; in such cases patient medical information may be disclosed to the state agency.
• When a person dies who has been a patient at the health center and the medical examiner is investigating the death, the health center is required by state law to provide patient medical information to the medical examiner if he or she requests it.
• When a person has filed a claim with the Industrial Accident Board, the health center may disclose patient medical information to the Board if they request it.
• When information has been requested by a valid court order or subpoena, the health center is required by law to disclose the information requested.
• The health center is required to report certain illnesses and conditions to state agencies overseeing the public health.
• If a health care provider thinks that a patient may harm another person or if a patient has made a threat to harm another person, the health care provider may contact law enforcement authorities and disclose information about the patient and the threat(s).
• The health center is required by law to provide information to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if requested to do so in regard to the quality, safety, or effectiveness of products or activities regulated by the FDA.
• Employers are entitled by law to receive information related to medical surveillance of the workplace or to evaluate whether or not a person has a work-related illness or injury.
• The law requires that the health center provide information to health oversight agencies if requested to do so.
• Certain requests from law enforcement agencies may be responded to.
• When there has been a disaster, the health center is allowed to share information as necessary to public or private agencies providing disaster relief.

Use or disclosure of medical information with authorization

Disclosures of information from your medical record other than those included in this privacy notice will be made upon your written authorization or the written authorization of the person legally able to act on your behalf.