Privacy Statement
Safeguarding your privacy and health records is extremely important to us. It is a top priority, as should be with any healthcare professional, but especially with any mental health professionals. We endeavor to do everything possible to assure the confidentiality and security of any health information that you entrust me with. To that end, we take serious steps, applying common sense, and abiding by laws designed to safeguard your rights and privacy, such as HIPAA.
About HIPAA: Your Health Information Privacy Rights
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that sets rules for health care providers and health insurance companies about who can look at and receive our health information. This law gives you rights over your health information, including the right to get a copy of your information, make sure it is correct, and know who has seen it.
Our Office’s HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Our office outlines the details of your privacy rights in the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices [Please click here to download and read].
Here is a non-exhaustive list of steps we take to safeguard your privacy:
- All hard copies of health information are locked in a closet within our office, which is also always locked when we are not there.
- All our computers and phone equipment are password protected, with 2-step authentications whenever available.
- We use a VPN whenever wifi is used.
- We endeavor to remind our patients when they communicate with us via text and email that these means are not secure, and we try and provide secure options to them.
Outside Vendors
In the electronic age, the use of outside vendors is necessary in any medical practice. All vendors are carefully screened for their reputation, security protocols, and adherence to HIPAA. Vendors which may have access to any health information must sign a Business Associates Agreement with us, pursuant to HIPAA, which holds them to the same responsibility as us with respect to the protection of your health information. In addition, whenever possible, only the minimum necessary information is shared with these vendors. Here is a list of vendors with which we have signed Business Associates Agreements, pursuant to HIPAA:
- Efax Corporate, Inc
- ICANotes
- IntakeQ, Inc.
- MSOffice Mail
- NTreatment
- Spruce, Inc.
- SRFax, Inc
- eClinicalWorks
- Charm Health
If you have questions or concerns, please contact our office. Thank you.
