We are required by law to give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices regarding your health information.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information. We will only disclose your health information if we have your written permission, except for the following purposes:

• Treatment. We may use and disclose your health information to doctors, nurses, or technicians that will provide you medical treatment or related services.
• Appointment Reminders and Treatment Alternatives. We may use and disclose your health information in contacting you to inform you of an upcoming appointment, treatment alternatives, or other health related services useful to you.
• Billing. We may use and disclose your health information in order to receive payment from you, your insurance company or a third party for the treatment you received. Our billing service and business associates are obligated to protect the privacy of your information. They are not allowed to use or disclose the information for purposes other than those outlined in their contracts with us.
• Individuals Involved In Your Care. If appropriate, we may use and disclose your health information to individuals involved in your treatment or payment plan. For example, we may notify your family of your condition or treatment if you have provided us their contact information.
• International, Federal, State, or Local Law. In the event of a serious threat to health and/or safety, we may use and disclose your health information, but only to someone authorized to prevent the threat.
• Births, Deaths, Coroners, and Medical Examiners. We may use and disclose your health information to report births and deaths. We may also need to disclose patients’ health records to coroners, medical examiners or funeral directors to identify a deceased person or cause of death.
• Personal Health Risks and Public Health Risks. If we are concerned that a patient has been a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, we may ask the patient for permission to disclose this information to the appropriate government authority. Similarly, we may use and disclose patients’ health information in order to prevent and control disease, injury or disability.
• Lawsuits and Disputes. In the case that you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, we may disclose your health record information if we are so ordered by the court. We will always make efforts to inform you of any lawful request made by an individual or authority, and/or obtain from you a written order protecting the requested information.