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.
Use and Disclosure of Health Information
Horizon Health may use your health information, information that constitutes protected health information as defined in the Privacy Rule of the Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, for purposes of providing you treatment, obtaining payment for your care and conducting health care operations. Horizon Health has established policies to guard against unnecessary disclosure of your health information.
The following is a summary of the circumstances under which and purposes for which your health information may be used and disclosed.
To Provide Treatment: Horizon Health may use your health information to coordinate care within Horizon Health and with others involved in your care, such as your attending physician and other health care professionals who have agreed to assist Horizon Health in coordinating care. For example, physicians involved in your care will need information about your symptoms in order to prescribe appropriate medications. Horizon Health also may disclose your health care information to individuals outside of Horizon Health involved in your care including family members, pharmacists, suppliers of medical equipment or other health care professionals.
To Obtain Payment: Horizon Health may include your health information in invoices to collect payment from third parties for the care you receive from Horizon Health. For example, Horizon Health may be required by your health insurer to provide information regarding your health care status so that the insurer will reimburse you or Horizon Health. Horizon Health also may need to obtain prior approval from your insurer and may need to explain to the insurer your need for home care and the services that will be provided to you.
To Conduct Health Care Operations: Horizon Health may use and disclose health information for its own operations in order to facilitate the function of Horizon Health and as necessary to provide quality care to all of Horizon Health's clients/residents. Health care operations includes such activities as:
- Quality assessment and improvement activities.
- Activities designed to improve health or reduce health care costs.
- Protocol development, case management and care coordination.
- Contacting health care providers and clients/residents with information about treatment alternatives and other related functions that do not include treatment.
- Professional review and performance evaluation.
- Training programs, including those in which students, trainees or practitioners in health care learn under supervision.
- Training of non-health care professionals
- Accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.
- Review and auditing, including compliance reviews, medical reviews, legal services and compliance programs.
- Business planning and development including cost management and planning related analyses and formulary development.
- Business management and general administrative activities of Horizon Health.
- Fundraising for the benefit of Horizon Health.
For example Horizon Health may use your health information to evaluate its staff performance, combine your health information with other Horizon Health clients/residents in evaluating how to more effectively serve all Horizon Health clients/residents, disclose your health information to Horizon Health staff and contracted personnel for training purposes, use your health information to contact you as a reminder regarding a visit to you, or contact you as part of general fundraising and community information mailings (unless you tell us you do not want to be contacted).
For Fundraising Activities: Horizon Health may use information about you including your name, address, phone number and the dates you received care in order to contact you to raise money for Horizon Health. Horizon Health may also release this information to a related Horizon Health foundation. If you do not want Horizon Health to contact you, notify the Human Resources Manager at 1-800-244-6451 and indicate that you do not wish to be contacted.
The following is a summary of the circumstances under which and purposes for which your health information may also be used and disclosed.
- For appointment reminders.
- For treatment alternatives.
- When legally required.
- When there are risks to public health.
- To report abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
To Conduct Health Oversight Activities: Horizon Health may disclose your health information to a health oversight agency for activities including audits, civil administrative or criminal investigations, inspections, licensure or disciplinary action. Horizon Health, however, may not disclose your health information if you are the subject of an investigation and your health information is not directly related to your receipt of health care or public benefits.
- In connection with judicial and administrative proceedings.
- For law enforcement purposes.
- To coroners and medical examiners.
- To funeral directors.
- For organ, eye or tissue donation.
- For research purposes.
- In the event of a serious threat to health or safety.
- For specified government functions
- For workers' compensation.
Authorization to use or disclose health information: Other than is stated above, Horizon Health will not disclose your health information other than with your written authorization. If you or your representative authorizes Horizon Health to use or disclose your health information, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
Your rights with respect to your health information.
You have the following rights regarding your health information that Horizon Health maintains:
Right to request restrictions. You may request restrictions on certain uses and disclosure of your health information. You have the right to request a limit on Horizon Health's disclosure of your health information to someone who is involved in your care or the payment of your care. However, Horizon Health is not required to agree to your request. If you wish to make a request for restrictions, please contact the Human Resources Manager.
Right to receive confidential communications. You have the right to request that Horizon Health communicate with you in a certain way. For example, you may ask that Horizon Health only conduct communications pertaining to your health information with you privately with no other family members present. If you wish to receive confidential communications, please contact the Human Resources Manager at 320-468-6451. Horizon Health will not request that you provide any reasons for your request and will attempt to honor your reasonable requests for confidential communications.
Right to inspect and copy your health information. You have the right to inspect and copy your health information, including billing records. A request to inspect and copy records containing your health information may be made to the Human Resources Manager at 1-800-224-6451. If you request a copy of your health information, Horizon Health may charge a reasonable fee for copying and assembling costs associated with your request.
Right to amend health care information. You or your representative have the right to request that Horizon Health amend your records, if you believe that your health information is incorrect or incomplete. That request may be made as long as the information is maintained by Horizon Health. A request for an amendment of records must be made in writing to the Human Resources Manager, Horizon Health, PO Box 220, Pierz, MN 56364. Horizon Health may deny the request if it is not in writing or does not include a reason for the amendment. The request also may be denied if your health information records were not created by Horizon Health, if the records you are requesting are not part of Horizon Health's records, if the health information you wish to amend is not part of the health information you or your representative are permitted to inspect and copy, or if, in the opinion of Horizon Health, the records containing your health information are accurate and complete.
Right to an accounting. You or your representative have the right to request an accounting of disclosures of your health information made by Horizon Health for certain reasons, including reasons related to public purposes authorized by law and certain research. The request for an accounting must be made in writing to the Human Resources Manager, Horizon Health, PO Box 220, Pierz, MN 56464. The request should specify the time period for the accounting starting on or after April 14,2003. Accounting requests may not be made for periods of time in excess of six (6) years. Horizon Health would provide the first accounting you request during any 12-month period without charge. Subsequent accounting requests may be subject to a reasonable cost-based fee.
Right to a paper copy of this notice. You or your representative have a right to a separate paper copy of this notice at any time even if you or your representative have received this notice previously. To obtain a separate paper copy, please contact the Human Resources Manager at 320-468-6451.
Duties of Horizon Health
Horizon Health is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide to you and your representative this notice of its duties and privacy practices. Horizon Health is required to abide by the terms of this notice as may be amended from time to time. Horizon Health reserves the right to change the terms of its notice and to make the new notice provisions effective for all health information that it maintains. If Horizon Health changes its notice, Horizon Health will provide a copy of the revised notice to you or your appointed representative. You or your personal representative have the right to express complaints to Horizon Health and to the Secretary of DHS if you or your representative believe that your privacy rights have been violated. Any complaints to Horizon Health should be made in writing to the Human Resources Manager, Horizon Health, PO Box 220, Pierz, MN 56364. Horizon Health encourages you to express any concerns you may have regarding the privacy of your information. You will not be retaliated against in any way for filing a complaint.
Contact Person
Horizon Health has designated the Human Resources Manager as its contact person for all issues regarding patient privacy and your rights under the Federal privacy standards. You may contact this person at Horizon Health, PO Box 220, Pierz, MN 56364, Phone: 1-800-224-6451
Effective Date
This Notice is effective April 14, 2003.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE, please contact the human resources manager at Horizon Health, PO Box 220, Pierz, MN 56364, Phone: 1-320-468-6451 or 1-800-224-6451 or send us an e-mail.
© 2006 Horizon Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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