This notice describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to your health information. Copies are given to all individuals participating in programs or receiving holistic health care. Please review this information carefully.
Your Rights. When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights, which include:
Obtaining a copy of your health records. You may ask to see or receive a copy of your health records and the health information we have about you. We will provide a copy or summary of your health information, usually within thirty (30) days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct a record. You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within thirty (30) days.
Request confidential communications. You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address.
Ask us to limit what we use or share. You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
How we store your information. All electronic information including your name, contact information, and forms completed online are stored on a secure server. All paper forms are stored in a locked file cabinet on the premises of the Encompass Pathways office location. Any paper forms may be or can be uploaded to your online file on request.Your electronic information is stored on a server shared within a business development and management system. Those with access to the system may be privy to the online forms you have completed. Your information will not be shared outside of Encompass Pathways
Choose someone to act for you. If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for your before we take action.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated. You can complain to us if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us at the address below or you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Understanding your health record: A record is made when you sign up for services with Encompass Pathways. For clients engaging on a one-on-one basis, an electronic record will be made each time there is a consultation video or telephone call. This record forms the basis of planning your programming.
Ask who we share your health information with: You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with and why. We will include all the disclosures except those for treatment, payment and operations, and certain other disclosures (such as those you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another within 12-months. Encompass Pathways may use or share your health information as follows:
Treatment/Consultation: Information obtained by your practitioner at Encompass Pathways will be entered in our record and used to plan the services provided to you. Your health information may be shared with others involved in your care or providing consultation about your services. Your practitioner’s own expectation and those of others involved in your care may also be recorded.
Payment: Your record will be used to receive payment for services rendered by Encompass Pathways.
Business Management of Encompass Pathways. We may use and share your health information to operate and plan programming, improve your care and contact you when necessary.
Quality Monitoring: Encompass Pathways will use your health information to assess the care you received and compare the outcome of your care to others. Your information may be reviewed for risk management or quality improvement purposes in our efforts to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the care and services provided.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): This office is required by law to disclose health information to the FDA related to any adverse effects of food, supplements, products, and product defects for surveillance to enable product recalls, repairs, or replacements.
Public Health: This office is required by law to disclose health information to public health and/or legal authorities to avert a serious threat to health or safety, to report communicable disease, injury, or disability, or to comply with mandated reporting requirements for tracking of birth and morbidity.
Law Enforcement: As required under state or federal law, your health information will be disclosed to appropriate health oversight agencies, public health authorities, law enforcement officials, or attorneys: (1) In response to a valid subpoena; (2) In the event that a staff member of business associate of this office believes in good faith that one or more clients, workers, or the general public are endangered due to suspected unlawful conduct of a practitioner or violations of professional or clinical standards; (3) When a client is a suspected victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
Business Associates: Some or all or your health information may be subject to disclosure through contracts for services to assist this office in providing health care. To protect your health information, we require these Business Associates to follow the same standards held by this office through terms detailed in a written agreement.
Understanding your health information rights: Your health record is the physical property of Encompass Pathways, but the content is about you, and therefore belongs to you. You have the right to review or obtain a paper copy of your health record. You have the right to request restrictions, to authorize disclosure of the record to others, and be given an account of those disclosures. Other than activity that has already occurred, you may revoke any further authorizations to use or disclose your health information.
Understanding what information is retained in your record and how that information may be used will assist you to ensure it is accurate and make informed decisions about who, what, when, where, and why others may be allowed access to your health information.
Communications with Family: Using your best judgment, you may authorize Encompass Pathways to release health information to a family member, close personal friend identified by you, personal representative, or other persons responsible for your care. With authorization, Encompass Pathways may notify or provide them with information about your care to assist them in enhancing your well-being or to confirm your whereabouts.
Our responsibility: Encompass Pathways is required to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with this notice of our privacy practices. We’re required to follow the terms of this notice and to notify you if we are unable to grant your request to disclose or restrict disclosure of your health information to others. Encompass Pathways reserves the right to change its practices and promises to make a good faith effort to notify you of any changes. Other than for the reasons described in this notice, Encompass Pathways agrees not to use or disclose your health information without your consent.
Contact Information:
Encompass Pathways
Ashland, VA 23005
804 592 1605
info@encompasspathways.com
