Privacy Practices

Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective April 14, 2003

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.

Standard Use and Disclosure of Your Medical Information

The Visiting Nurses Association Hospice Care uses your medical information to provide you with medical treatment and services, to receive payment for those services, and in daily health care operations.

Treatment. VNA HOSPICE CARE Hospice Care may disclose your medical information to those involved in your treatment on an as-needed basis. For example, we may disclose information to your doctor to assist them in making a determination on a course of treatment for you.
Payment. VNA HOSPICE CARE may be required to use or disclose your medical information in order to obtain payment for services we render. For example, when VNA HOSPICE CARE bills Medicare, they require a listing of the services you received from VNA HOSPICE CARE in order to receive payment for those services.

Health Care Operations. VNA HOSPICE CARE may also use and disclose your medical information in our everyday health care operations. For example, your medical information may be used to assist us in evaluating the performance of this organization through performance audits.

Uses and Disclosures That Do Not Require Your Consent

In addition to the general uses and disclosures of your information mentioned above, there may be some more specific situations when it is necessary, and permissible, for VNA HOSPICE CARE to use or disclose of your medical information. Those situations are described below:

• VNA HOSPICE CARE may disclose your medical information to a public health authority in order to prevent or control disease, to report birth or death, and for the purpose of public health investigations, interventions, and other related matters.
• VNA HOSPICE CARE may be required by law to disclose to government authorities the medical information of a person who may be a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
• VNA HOSPICE CARE may disclose your medical information to an agency that oversees government health benefit programs for the purpose of audits, investigations, inspections, or other activities.
• VNA HOSPICE CARE may disclose your medical information in response to a court order in a judicial or administrative proceeding or, in some cases, in response to a subpoena.
• VNA HOSPICE CARE may disclose your medical information to law enforcement officials for a law enforcement purpose in the following situations: when required by law; for identification and location purposes; if you are suspected to be a victim of a crime; to report suspicion of death by criminal conduct; to report suspicion of criminal conduct occurring on the grounds of our facility; and in the case of an emergency.
• In the event of your death, VNA HOSPICE CARE may disclose your medical information to a coroner, medical examiner or funeral director.
• Your health information may be disclosed to organ donation organizations if donation is planned.
• Your health information may be disclosed to body donation organizations if donation is planned.
• Your health information may be used for purposes if the research plan has been approved by a review board that checks to make sure your identity and your health information will remain private during and after the research.
• Limited health information may be disclosed if necessary to prevent an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public.
• Your medical information may be disclosed in special government circumstances involving: military or veterans activities; national security and intelligence activities; protective services for the President; medical suitability determinations; law enforcement custodial situations; and government programs providing public benefits.
• Your medical information may be disclosed in accordance with laws related to workers’ compensation.
• In the event of a disaster, your health information may be released to a public or private agency authorized by law to assist in disaster relief efforts.
• VNA HOSPICE CARE may disclose information about you that is directly relevant to any member of your family, or to a close friend of yours, if that person is involved with your care or the payment for your care. VNA HOSPICE CARE may also use or disclose your health information to notify, identify, or locate a family member, or other person responsible for your care, of your location, condition, or death. You may restrict such use or disclosure by informing your hospice care nurse or social worker who will assist you in putting such restrictions in writing.
• Your demographic information may be used by VNA HOSPICE CARE for the purpose of fundraising, bereavement materials, and invitations to hospice related events.
• All other uses or disclosures of your medical information will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke your written authorization at any time.

• You have the right to have a copy of the VNA HOSPICE CARE notice of privacy practices. A copy of this notice should be provided to you during your initial encounter.
• You have the right to inspect and copy information in your permanent health care record.
• You may also request changes to the information contained in your record, which VNA HOSPICE CARE may approve or deny. Only the individual receiving services may request change of information. If you wish to do so, a request will need to be in writing and submitted to VNA HOSPICE CARE’s Privacy Officer.
• You have the right to request that restrictions be placed on the use and disclosure of your health information. Once again, VNA HOSPICE CARE may approve or deny this request
• You also have the right to receive a list of the uses and disclosures of your health information made by VNA HOSPICE CARE. Certain limitations apply.
• You have the right to receive communications from us regarding your health information in a confidential manner. To exercise your rights, please contact the privacy officer at VNA HOSPICE CARE by calling 314-918-7171, ext 1202.

Our Duties

VNA HOSPICE CARE has a duty under the law to tell you our legal obligations regarding your medical information. The obligations for VNA HOSPICE CARE are as follows:

• VNA HOSPICE CARE must maintain the privacy of your medical information.
• VNA HOSPICE CARE must follow the terms of this notice.

VNA HOSPICE CARE has the right to change the terms of this notice, and any changes may be effective for any current health information about you and any information that may be obtained in the future. Any changes to this notice will be effective for all health information that we maintain about you. Should VNA HOSPICE CARE revise this document, you will be able to receive an updated version of this Notice by contacting the privacy officer at 314-918-7171, ext 1202.

Complaints

If you believe that any of these rights or your privacy rights have been violated, you may complain to VNA HOSPICE CARE or to the Department of Health and Human Services. You are protected from retaliation for any and all complaints you make. For additional information, contact the privacy officer at 314-918-7171, ext 1202.