Privacy Policy HIPAA NOTICE

                             ANCHORS OF CHANGE PSYCHOTHERAPY LLC 

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES. THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY: AOC PSYC is required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI), to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured PHI. We are required to abide by the terms of this notice currently in effect. 

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

We may use and disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without your written authorization:

• Treatment: We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care and related services. This includes consultation with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment.
• Payment: We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment from you, your insurance company, or a third party for the services you receive.
• Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your PHI to support our business activities, such as quality assessment, peer review, administrative audits, compliance, and customer service.

USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Other uses and disclosures of your PHI will be made only with your written authorization, including:

• Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes (if separately maintained).
• Uses and disclosures of PHI for marketing purposes.
• Disclosures that constitute a sale of PHI.

You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that action has already been taken in reliance on it.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND EXCEPTIONS

We may disclose your PHI without your authorization as required or permitted by federal and state law, including: 

• Required by Law: When mandated by federal, state, or local law.
• Safety Mandates (Duty to Protect): To prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health/safety or the safety of others.
• Mandated Reporting: To report suspected child, elderly, or vulnerable adult abuse or neglect as required by state reporting statutes.
• Judicial & Administrative Proceedings: In response to a valid court order, administrative order, or lawful subpoena.
• Health Oversight: To oversight agencies for activities authorized by law (e.g., licensing audits, investigations).

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI

 You have the following rights regarding the mental health information we maintain about you:

• Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your electronic or paper medical record. (We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.)
• Right to Request Restrictions: You may ask us not to use or share certain PHI for treatment, payment, or operations. We are not required to agree unless you pay out-of-pocket in full for a service and request that we not notify your health insurer.
• Right to Confidential Communications: You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (e.g., home vs. office phone) or to send mail to a specific address.
• Right to Amend: You may request an amendment to your record if you feel the information is incorrect or incomplete.
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your PHI for reasons other than treatment, payment, or operations.
• Right to a Paper Copy: You may request a physical copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice at any time. The new terms will apply to all PHI we maintain. Revised notices will be posted on our website and made available in our office.

COMPLAINTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint directly with us or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Office for Civil Rights). You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint. To exercise your rights or file a complaint with our practice, please contact:

Privacy Officer: JANN JUSTICE

ANCHORS OF CHANGE PSYCHOTHERAPY LLC

Address: 2101 GOLF COURSE RD SE STE. D RIO RANCHO, NM 87124

Phone: 505-361-5608

Email: JANN@ANCHORSOFCHANGEPSYC.COM

Effective Date: 01/01/2022