HIPAA Policy
Notice of Privacy Practices - How we protect your health information
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Name or Title of Privacy Officer: HIPAA Privacy Officer
Telephone Number: (818) 937-3747
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
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.
1. Confidentiality of Health Information
Health information that Solace Recovery receives and/or creates about you, personally, relating to your past, present, or future health, treatment, or payment for health care services, is "protected health information" under the federal law known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164. The confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse records maintained by Solace Recovery is protected by another federal law as well, commonly referred to as the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Confidentiality Law, 42 C.F.R. Part 2. Generally, Solace Recovery may not say to a person outside Solace Recovery that you are a client of Solace Recovery, or disclose any information identifying you as an alcohol or drug abuser, or use or disclose any other protected health information except in limited circumstances as permitted by federal law. Your health information is further protected by any pertinent state law that is more protective or stringent than either of these two federal laws.
2. Pledge Regarding Health Information
Solace Recovery understands that health information about you and your health is personal. First Haven Recovery is committed to protecting health information about you. In order to provide you with quality service and to comply with certain state and federal legal requirements, Solace Recovery creates a record of the services you receive at Solace Recovery. This Notice of Privacy Practices (the "Notice") applies to all of the records of your service generated by Solace Recovery. This Notice will tell you about the ways in which Solace Recovery may use and disclose protected health information about you. It also describes your rights and certain obligations Solace Recovery Recovery has regarding the use and disclosure of protected health information. Solace Recovery is required by law to:
- Make sure that health information that identifies you is kept private;
- Give you this Notice of its legal duties and privacy practices concerning health information about you;
- Follow the terms of the Notice that are currently in effect; and
- Notify you in case there is an unauthorized use or disclosure of your unsecured health information.
3. Who is Bound by this Notice
This Notice describes Solace Recovery's practices and those of Solace Recovery staff, volunteers, and other personnel who are involved in your services. Solace Recovery and these individuals will follow the terms of this Notice, and may use or disclose protected health information about you as permitted or required by law. This Notice describes your rights to access and control protected health information about you, including information that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical health or mental condition, and healthcare and related healthcare services. Your personal physician may have other policies that he or she follows and may use his or her own Notice of Privacy Practices.
4. How Solace Recovery may Use and Disclose Protected Health Information About You
Solace Recovery collects health information about you and stores it in a chart, on a computer, and/or in a personal health record. This is your medical record. The medical record is the property of Solace Recovery, but the information in the medical record belongs to you. The following categories describe different ways that Solace Recovery may use or disclose protected health information. For each category of uses and disclosures, Solace Recovery will explain what is meant and may give some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways Solace Recovery is permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories. Some information such as certain drug and alcohol information, HIV, or mental health information is entitled to special restrictions.
4.1 For Internal Communications
Your protected health information will be used within Solace Recovery between and among First Haven Recovery staff who have a need for the information, in connection with Solace Recovery Recovery's duty to diagnose, treat, or refer you for treatment. This means that your protected health information may be shared between or among personnel for treatment, payment or health care operation purposes.
4.2 To Qualified Service Organizations and/or Business Associates
Some or all of your protected health information may be subject to disclosure through contracts for services with qualified service organizations and/or business associates, outside of First Haven Recovery, that assist Solace Recovery in providing healthcare. Examples include billing companies, data processing companies, or companies that provide administrative or specialty services.
4.3 In Medical Emergencies
Your health information may be disclosed to medical personnel in a medical emergency, when there is immediate threat to the health of an individual, and when immediate medical intervention is required.
4.4 Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect
Solace Recovery may report suspected child abuse or neglect as mandated by state law. Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under state law to appropriate state or local authorities.
4.5 As Required By Law
Solace Recovery will disclose protected health information as required by state law in a manner otherwise permitted by federal privacy and confidentiality regulations.
5. Your Rights Regarding Health Information Solace Recovery Maintains About You
You have the following rights regarding your health information. In order to exercise these rights, you must contact the HIPAA Privacy Officer at Solace Recovery. You may be asked to submit a written request. The HIPAA Privacy Officer may be contacted using the following information:
Contact Information:
Solace Recovery
Attn: HIPAA Privacy Officer
20412 Elkwood St
Winnetka, CA 91306
Phone: (818) 937-3747
Email: info@solacerecovery.com
5.1 Right to Inspect and Copy
With certain exceptions, you have the right to inspect and receive copies of your health information that Solace Recovery maintains about you. In some very limited circumstances Solace Recovery may, as authorized by law, deny your request to inspect and obtain a copy of your protected health information.
5.2 Right to Amend Your Health Information
If you believe that protected health information about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask Solace Recovery to amend the information. Solace Recovery may deny your request if it is not in writing or does not include a reason that supports the request.
5.3 Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures that Solace Recovery may have made of your protected health information. This list will not include certain disclosures as set forth in the HIPAA regulations.
5.4 Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the protected health information that Solace Recovery uses or discloses about your treatment, payment or health care operations within Solace Recovery.
5.5 Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that Solace Recovery communicate with you about your protected health information in a specific way or at a specific location. For example, you can ask that Solace Recovery only contact you at work or by mail.
5.6 Right to File a Complaint
Violation of the federal law and regulations by Solace Recovery is a crime and suspected violations may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with federal regulations. If you have any questions or believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact Solace Recovery's HIPAA Privacy Officer or file a written complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
5.7 Right to Receive a Copy
You have the right to obtain a copy of this Notice.
6. Changes to This Notice
Solace Recovery reserves the right to change the terms of this Notice at any time. Solace Recovery Recovery reserves the right to make the revised or changed notice effective for protected health information Solace Recovery already has about you as well as any protected health information Solace Recovery receives in the future. Solace Recovery will post a copy of the current Notice. The Notice will contain an effective date.
Questions About Your Privacy Rights?
If you have questions about this Notice or need assistance understanding your privacy rights, please contact our HIPAA Privacy Officer.