HIPPA

Notice of Privacy Practices

West Virginia Nursing Network Infusion Services, LLC

As required by the Privacy Regulations created by a result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

THIS NOTICE IS TO INFORM YOU OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU THAT MAY BE DISCLOSED (AS A PATIENT OF WVNNIS) AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.

1. OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY

WVNNIS is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your individual identifiable health information (IIHI).  In conducting your care, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and service we provide to you.  We are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you.  We are also required by law to provide with this notice of our legal duties and the privacy practices that we maintain in our office concerning your IIHI.  By federal and state law, we must follow the terms of the notice of privacy practices that we have in effect at the time.

We realize that these laws are complicated, but we must provide you with the following important information:

• How we may use and disclose your IIHI
• Your privacy rights in your IIHI
• Our obligation concerning the use and disclosure of your IIHI

The term of this notice applies to all records containing your IIHI that are created or retained by WVNNIS.  We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices.  Any revision or amendment to this notice will be effective for all of your records that WVNNIS has created or maintained in the past, and for any of your records that we may create or maintain in the future.  WVNNIS will post a copy our current Notice in our offices in a visible location at all times, and you may request a copy of our most current Notice at any time.

25526. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS NOTICE, PLEASE CONTACT: The Infusion Administrator or Jill Hopkins at 304-542-1968, or in writing at 600-B Prestige Park Suite 5, Hurricane, WV 25526.

 

1. WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION (IIHI) IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

 

The following categories describe the different ways in which we may use and disclose your IIHI.

 

1. Treatment. WVNNIS may use your IIHI to treat you.  For example, we may ask you to have a laboratory test (such as blood or urine test), and we may use the results to help in adjusting your medication dosages.  We might use your IIHI in order to write prescriptions for you, or we might disclose your IIHI to a pharmacy when we order a prescription for you.  Many of the people who work for WVNNIS including, but not limited to other nurses or administrators, may use or disclose your IIHI in order to help treat you or assist in others in your treatment.  Additionally, we may disclose your IIHI to others who may assist in your care, such as your spouse, children, or parents.  Finally, we may disclose your IIHI to other health care providers for purposes related to your treatment.

 

2. Health Care Operations. Our practices may use and disclose your IIHI to operate our business.  Examples of ways we may disclose or use your IIHI may be information for our operations.  WVNNIS may use your IIHI to evaluate the quality of care you received from us, or conduct cost-management and business planning activities for WVNNIS.  We may disclose your IIHI to other health care providers and entities to assist in their health care operations.

 

OPTIONAL:

 

3. Appointment Reminders. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI to contact you and remind you of an appointment.

 

OPTIONAL:

 

4. Treatment Options. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI to inform you of potential treatment options or alternatives.

 

OPTIONAL:

 

5. Health-Related Benefits and Services. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI to inform you of health-related benefits or services that may be in the best interest to you.

 

OPTIONAL:

 

6. Release of Information to Family/Friends. WVNNIS may release your IIHI to a friend or family member who is involved in your care, or who assists in taking care of you. For example, a parent or guardian may ask that babysitter take their child to the pediatrician’s office for treatment of a cold.  In this example, the babysitter may have access to this child’s medical information.

 

7. Disclosures Required By Law. WVNNIS will use and disclose your IIHI when we are required to do so by federal, state, or local law.

 

1. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR IIHI IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

 

The following categories describe unique scenarios in which we may use or disclose your identifiable health information:

 

1. Public Health Risks. WVNNIS may disclose your IIHI to public health authorities that are authorized by law to collect information for the purpose of:

 

Maintaining vital records, such as births and deaths

Reporting child abuse or neglect

Preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability

Notifying a person regarding potential exposure to a communicable disease

Notifying a person regarding potential risk for spreading or contracting a disease or condition

Reporting reactions to drugs or problems with products or devices

Notifying individuals if a product or device they may be using has been recalled

Notifying appropriate government agency(ies) and authority(ies) regarding the potential abuse or neglect of an adult patient (including domestic violence); however we will only disclose the information if the patient agrees or we are required or authorized by law to disclose this information

Notifying your employer under limited circumstances related primarily to workplace injury, illness, or medical surveillance

2. Health Oversight Activities. WVNNIS may disclose your IIHI to a health oversight agent for activities authorized by law.  Oversight activities can include, investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licensure, and disciplinary actions; civil, administrative, and criminal procedures or actions; or activities necessary for the government to monitor government programs, compliance with civil rights laws and the healthcare system in general.

 

3. Lawsuits and Similar Proceedings. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI in response to a court or administrative order, if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding.  We also may disclose your IIHI in response to a discovery request, subpoenas, or other lawful process by another party involved in the dispute, but only if we have made an effort to inform you of the request or to obtain an order protecting the information the party has requested.

 

4. Law Enforcement. WVNNIS may release IIHI if asked to do so by a law enforcement official:

 

Regarding a crime victim in certain situations, if we are unable to obtain the person’s agreement

Concerning a death we believe has resulted from criminal conduct

Regarding criminal conduct at our office

In response to a warrant, summons, court order, subpoena or similar legal process

To identify/locate a suspect, material witness, fugitive, or missing person

In an emergency, to report a crime (including the location or victim(s) of the crime, or the description, identity, or location of the perpetrator)

OPTIONAL:                                                                                                                                                                

 

5. Organ and Tissue Donation. WVNNIS may release your IIHI to organizations that handle organ, eye, or tissue procurement or transplantation, including organ donation banks, as necessary to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation if you are an organ donor.

 

6. Serious Threats to Health or Safety. WVNNIS may use or disclose your IIHI when necessary to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another individual or the public.  Under these circumstances, we will only make disclosures to a person or organization able to help prevent the threat.

 

7. Military. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI if you are a member of the US or foreign military forces (including veterans) and if required by the appropriate authorities.

 

8. National Security. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI to federal officials for intelligence and national security activities authorized by law.  We also may disclose your IIHI to federal officials in order to protect the President, other officials or foreign heads of state, or to conduct investigations.

 

9. Inmates. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if you are an inmate or under custody of a law enforcement official.  Disclosure for these purposes would be necessary: (a) for the institution to provide health care services to you, (b) for the safety and security of the institution, and/or (c) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of other individuals.

 

10. Worker’s Compensation. WVNNIS may use and disclose your IIHI for worker’s compensation and similar programs.

 

1. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR IIHI

 

You have the following rights regarding the IIHI that we maintain about you:

1. Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that WVNNIS communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location.  For instance, you may ask that we contact you at home, rather than work.  In order to request a type of confidential communication, you must make a written request to the Infusion Administrator or Jill Hopkins at 600-B Prestige Park, Suite 5, Hurricane, WV 25526 specifying the requested method of contact or the location in which you wish to be contacted.  WVNNIS will accommodate reasonable requests.  You do not need to give a reason for your request.
2. Requesting Restrictions. You have the right to request restriction in our use of disclosure of your IIHI for treatment or health care operations.  Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict our disclosures of your IIHI to only certain individuals involved in your care such as family members and friends.  We are not required to agree to your request; however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you.  In order to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI, you must make a written request to the Infusion Administrator or Jill Hopkins at 600-B Prestige Park, Suite 5, and Hurricane, WV 25526.  Your request must describe in a clear concise fashion:

The information you wish restricted

Whether you are requesting to limit our use, disclosure, or both

To whom you want limits to apply

3. Inspection and Copies. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the IIHI that may be used to make decisions about you, including patient medical records.  You must submit your request in writing to the Infusion Administrator or Jill Hopkins at 600-B Prestige Park, Suite 5, Hurricane, WV 25526 in order to inspect and/or obtain a copy of your IIHI.  WVNNIS may charge a small fee for the costs of copying, mailing, labor and supplies associated with your request.  WVNNIS may deny your request to inspect and/or copy in certain limited circumstances; however, you may request a review of our denial.  Another licensed health care professional chosen by us will conduct the review.
4. Amendment. You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and you may request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by WVNNIS.  To request an amendment, your request must be in writing to the Infusion Administrator or Jill Hopkins at 600-B Prestige Park, Suite 5, Hurricane, WV 25526.  You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for an amendment.  WVNNIS will deny your request if you fail to submit your request in writing or do not provide adequate reason supporting your request.
5. Accounting of Disclosures. All of our patients have the right to request an “accounting of disclosures.”  An “accounting of disclosures” is a list of certain non-routine disclosures WVNNIS has made of your IIHI for non-treatment, non-operations purposes.  Use of your IIHI as part of the routine patient care is not required to be documented.  For example, the doctor shares information with the nurse, or billing department using your information to file your insurance claims.  In order to obtain an accounting of disclosures you must submit a written a request to the Infusion Administrator or Jill Hopkins at 600-B Prestige Park, Suite 5, Hurricane, WV 25526.  All requests for an “accounting of disclosures” must state time period, which may not be longer than six (6) years from the date of disclosure and may not include date before April 14, 2003.  The first list you request within a 12 month period is free of charge, but WVNNIS may charge you for additional lists within the same 12 month period.  WVNNIS will notify you of the cost involved with additional requests and you may withdraw your request before you incur any costs. 
6. Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice. Yu are entitled to receive a paper copy of our notice of privacy practices.  You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time.  To obtain a paper copy of this notice contact WVNNIS at 304-542-1968.
7. Right to File a Complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  To file a complaint with us contact the Infusion Administrator of Jill Hopkins at 600-B Prestige Park, Suite 5, Hurricane, WV 25526, 304-542-4968.  All complaints must be submitted in writing.  You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
8. Right to Provide an Authorization for Others Uses and Disclosures. WVNNIS will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law.  Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your IIHI may be revoked at any time in writing. After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your IIHI for the reasons described in the authorization.  Please note we are required to retain records of your care.