Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Get a copy of your medical record.

• Ask us to correct your record.

• Request confidential communications (for example, at a different phone or mailing address).

• Ask us to limit what we use or share, though we may not be able to agree to all requests.

• Get a list (accounting) of certain disclosures of your health information.

• Receive a paper copy of this notice at any time.

• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

Your Choices

You may tell us your preferences about how we share information in certain situations, such as:

• Sharing information with your family, close friends, or caregivers.

• Sharing information in a disaster relief situation.

• Using your information for appointment reminders.

In these cases, we will only share your information if you agree or if federal/state law allows.

Our Uses and Disclosures

We may use and share your information in the following ways:

• For Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your care.

• For Payment: To bill and collect payment from you, your insurance, or a third party.

• For Health Care Operations: For practice management, quality review, and training.

• To Respond to Legal Obligations: As required by law, such as public health reporting.

• To Prevent or Respond to Serious Threats: To help prevent serious and imminent harm.

Special Protections for Certain Records

1. Substance Use Disorder Records (42 CFR Part 2):

   • Records related to substance use disorder treatment are given extra protection.

   • They generally cannot be used in legal proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative) without your written consent or a court order with notice to you.

2. Reproductive Health Information:

   • Your reproductive health information is protected by HIPAA.

   • While additional federal protections were recently vacated by a court, we will still not disclose your information unless allowed or required by law, or with your written permission.

3. Redisclosure Notice:

   • Once health information is shared outside of Anderson Counseling and Wellness, it may be redisclosed by the recipient and may no longer be protected by HIPAA.

Our Responsibilities

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.

• We will notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised your information.

• We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice.

• We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you give us written permission.

Our Security Practices

We use safeguards (technical, administrative, and physical) to protect your electronic health information. These include:

• Access controls and monitoring of who can view your records.

• Incident response and recovery plans in case of a system failure or breach.

• Ongoing reviews of our security risk assessments as required by federal law.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint:

• With Anderson Counseling and Wellness, PLLC at 860-946-3681.

• Or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Contact

If you have questions about this Notice, contact:
Anderson Counseling and Wellness, PLLC

Phone: 860-946-3681