Clients'
Notice of Privacy Practive Candeo
Candeo is required by law to maintain the privacy of your medical information and to give you Notice of our Privacy Practices (this “Notice”) that describes our privacy practices, our legal duties and your rights. Except where such use/disclosure is otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, Candeo is permitted to use/disclose your protected health information without your authorization (permission) in the following situations. These examples are not all inclusive: Treatment (services): means the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services by one or more health care providers, including the coordination or management of health care by a health care provider with a third party; consultation between health care providers relating to a patient (client); or the referral of a patient (client) for health care from one health care provider to another. To provide you with services such as coaching you on how to learn to cook, maintain your apartment, access the community and maintain your financial accounts etc. (Program Coordinator, direct staff, Director of Services, Parent/guardian/advocate, case management). Payment: To bill various funding sources for payment of the time our staff spent with you assisting you to reach your goals. Operations: To support our business activities (quality assessment/enhancement, employee review, accreditation) Limited information may be used/disclosed to conduct fundraising for Candeo. You have the right to request that you not receive fundraising material from Candeo. Required by Law: We will disclose your protected health information when required to do so by federal, state or local law (e.g. to report child abuse/dependent adult abuse/violence/wounds). Abuse, Neglect, Violence: If staff believes that you may have been a victim of abuse or violence, a report may be made to the proper authority. Unless law requires the disclosure, Candeo will only disclose information if you agree or under other limited circumstances when law permits such disclosure. Legal Proceedings: We may disclose protected health information in the course of any judicial or administrative proceedings, in response to an order of a court or administrative tribunal (to the extent such disclosure is expressly authorized), in certain conditions in response to a subpoena discovery request or other lawful process. Law Enforcement: We may also disclose protected health information, so long as applicable legal requirements are met, for law enforcement purposes. These law enforcement purposes include (a) legal processes and otherwise required by law; (b) limited information requests for identification and location purposes; (c) pertaining to victims of a crime; (d) suspicion that death has occurred as a result of criminal conduct; (e) medical emergency and it is likely that crime has occurred. Criminal Activity: Consistent with applicable federal and state laws, we may disclose your protected health information, if we believe that the use or disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public. We may also disclose protected health information if it is necessary for law enforcement authorities to identify or apprehend an individual. Public Health: To public health authorities for public health activities as permitted or required by law (e.g. to report death, abuse, neglect and communicable diseases). Uses
and Disclosures of Health
Oversight: To a health oversight agency for activities authorized
by law (e.g. fraud and abuse investigations) Disaster Relief: To a public or private entity assisting in a disaster relief effort e.g. to notify your family about your location, condition, or death.) Providers: To other providers involved in your services in order for that provider to provide services, and bill for those services. Others Involved in Your Services: Unless you object, we may disclose to a member of your family, a close friend or any other person you identify, your protected health information that directly related to that person’s involvement in your services. If you are unable to agree or object to such a disclosure, we may disclose such information as necessary if we determine that it is in your best interest based on our professional judgment. Health and Safety Risks: Under certain circumstances, when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or to the health and safety of the public or another person. Correctional Institutions: To a correctional institution where you are an inmate or to a law enforcement official who has custody of you for certain limited purposes (e.g. to provide you with services). Incidental Disclosure: Occasional incidental unintended disclosures of your information which might occur during a permitted use/disclosure (e.g. information overheard during a discussion with you or a family member). We will take reasonable steps to avoid these types of disclosures. Deceased
Individuals: To a coroner or medical examiner as necessary to
carry out their duties or to a funeral director as authorized by law. Authorization: Uses and disclosures of protected health information not covered by this Notice or the laws that apply to us will be made only with your written permission. If you give us permission to use or disclose protected health information about you, you may revoke (take away) that permission, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your permission, we will no longer use/disclose protected health information about you for the reasons set forth in your written authorization. We are unable to take back any disclosures we have already made with your permission. Communication Barriers: We may use and disclose your protected health information if we attempt to obtain consent from you but are unable to do so due to substantial communication barriers and we determine, using professional judgment, that you intend to consent to use or disclosure under the circumstances. Marketing and Fundraising: For the purpose of informing Candeo clients, parents, guardians and advocates of Candeo’s fundraising efforts and of events that are occurring that may be of interest to the clients, parents, guardians and advocates of Candeo.
Federal law grants you certain rights with respect to your protected information. Following is a statement of your rights with respect to your protected health information and a brief description of how you may exercise these rights. Access to Protected Health Information: You may request to inspect and copy much of the protected health information we maintain about you, with some exceptions. This includes most service and billing records, but does not include psychotherapy notes. We may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing, and other supplies associated with your request. Request for Restrictions: You have the right to request a restriction on how we use/disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment or operations, or in certain situations, parents/guardians/advocates involved in your services. We are not required to agree to your request, but will notify you if we are unable to agree. Amendment: You may request that we amend certain portions of your information if you believe that it is incorrect or incomplete. We may require you to give a reason to support your request. We are not required to make all requested amendments, but will give each request careful consideration. If we deny your request, we will provide you with a written explanation of the reasons and your rights. Accounting:
You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures of your protected
health information made by us or our business associates. You must state
a time period for your request, which may not be longer than six years
and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. The first list in any
12-month period will be provided to you for free; you may be charged a
fee for each subsequent list you request within the same 12-month period. Paper Notice: You are entitled to receive a written copy of this Notice at any time. How to Exercise Your Rights: all requests to exercise these rights must be in writing. We will follow written policies to handle requests, and we will notify you of our decision or actions and your rights. Contact your Program Coordinator or our Privacy Officer at the contact information at the end of this Notice for more information or to obtain request forms. Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Candeo using the contact information at the end of this Notice. You may also submit a complaint to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints must be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint. Questions: If you have questions about this Notice, please contact your Program Coordinator or the Privacy Officer at the contact information at the end of this Notice. About this Notice Candeo is required to abide by the terms of the Notice currently in effect. Candeo reserves the right to change the terms of this Notice and make the new Notice provisions effective for all of your personal health information that we maintain, including that which we created or received while the prior Notice was in effect. If Candeo makes a material change our privacy practices, we will amend this Notice. We will post a copy in the central office and the Notice will state the effective date.
Candeo privacy officer may be reached by mail or by telephone at: Privacy Officer
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