INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE PROTECTED
The privacy of all health records and other individually identifiable health information must be protected at all times. Information relating to a Client’s health care history, diagnosis, condition, treatment, or evaluation shall be considered individually identifiable health information. Confidentiality of this health information must be maintained at all times, and may only be disclosed with the express written consent of the Client’s parent or legal guardian.
Non-individually identifiable health information, (e.g. health information that cannot be linked to a specific Client) is not included within the definition of protected health information.
BOUNDARIES ON HEALTH INFORMATION USE AND RELEASE
A Client’s health information can be used for health purposes only.
We protect individually identifiable health information. Center for Success and Independence, Inc. shall not publish or otherwise make generally available any information or data that identifies a Client for purposes other than treatment, payment or other health care operations, without the Client’s parent or legal guardian’s express written consent. This does not restrict the internal use of such information or data that is required in the performance of the scope of work that Center for Success and Independence, Inc. has been engaged to perform for a Client nor the disclosure of the information to affiliates of the Center for Success and Independence, Inc. to perform business operations. Center for Success and Independence, Inc. also maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect individually identifiable health information. Center for Success and Independence, Inc. is always assessing those safeguards and shall make ongoing improvements to maintain and enhance our level of security for individually identifiable health information.
We ensure that health information is not used for non-health purposes. Client information can be used or disclosed only for purposes of health care treatment, payment, and operations. Health information cannot be used for purposes not related to health care without explicit authorization from the Client’s parent or legal guardian. For example, Center for Success and Independence, Inc. may not access the personal health information obtained by a Center for Success and Independence, Inc. affiliate or referring entity for any purpose other than to perform the services, for which we were engaged, unless Center for Success and Independence, Inc. first obtains the explicit authorization of the Client’s parent or legal guardian.
The Center for Success and Independence, Inc. may disclose protected health information of the Client to law enforcement officials and emergency healthcare providers as long as a reasonable effort has been made to verify the identity of the person requesting the protected health information and the authority of any such person to have access to protected health information.
The Center for Success and Independence, Inc. may use or disclose protected health information to others provided that the Client’s parent or legal guardian is informed in advance of the use or disclosure and has had the opportunity to agree to, object, prohibit, or restrict the use or disclosure:
A parent, guardian, or other person acting in loco parentis of an un-emancipated minor;
A family member or other relative who is involved with the Client’s care, general condition, or deceased person’s estate;
A person with authority to act on behalf of the Client in making health care decisions
The Center for Success and Independence is also permitted to use the Client’s protected health information to maintain a directory of Clients in its facility, including the Client’s name, location, general condition and religious affiliation, provided that the Client’s parent or legal guardian has had the opportunity to agree to, prohibit or restrict the use or disclosure for this purpose.
If the Client’s parent or legal guardian is not present or has not had the opportunity to agree to or object to the use or disclosure of their health information, the Center for Success and Independence, Inc. must use professional judgment and its experience with common practice to determine whether the disclosure is in the best interest of the Client. If so, the Center for Success and Independence will disclose only the minimum necessary health information directly relevant to the person’s involvement with the Client’s care.
We maintain health information in a manner to protect confidentiality. All individually identifiable health information shall be maintained by Center for Success and Independence, Inc. in a confidential manner that prevents unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure to third parties. Health records are maintained for 10 years post discharge.
Requesting Accounting of Information Disclosures. Clients and the Client’s parent or legal guardian may request in writing an accounting of certain disclosures of a Client’s protected health information.
How to request copies of a health record or restrict use or disclosure of a Client’s record. The Client and the Client’s parent or legal guardian may request a copy of their health record by completing a “Release of Confidential Information” form. The Center for Success and Independence, Inc. may impose a reasonable cost-based fee for copying, postage, mailing fees, or preparation of a summary of the health information.
The Client and the Client’s parent or legal guardian may request specific restrictions on the use and disclosure of the Client’s protected health information, request that their health record be amended by making a request in writing. The Client and the Client’s parent or legal guardian have a right to file a complaint to the Center for Success and Independence if he/she is not satisfied with the determination to deny an amendment to their health care record.
The Client and the Client’s parent or legal guardian may direct questions regarding this Privacy Notice to the administrators at the Center for Success and Independence, Inc. by emailing care4@tcsi.org.
The Client and the Client’s parent or legal guardian may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the Health and Human Services, at: DHHS, Office of Civil Rights, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 509F HHS Building, Washington, DC 20201
PENALTIES FOR MISUSE OF PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
There are serious penalties for violation of the confidentiality of health information including state and federal laws imposing criminal and civil penalties on individuals who misuse or disclose individually identifiable health information without explicit consent by the Client’s parent or legal guardian.
Center for Success and Independence, Inc. Penalties. Any employee who violates the privacy and confidentiality of Client health information, through disclosure or otherwise, may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of his or her employment with Center for Success and Independence, Inc.
Updated July 21, 2020