Savannah, GA 31405
www.themidwifegroup.com
PRIVACY NOTICE
This privacy notice describes how your medical information may be disclosed and used by this practice. This notice also discusses your rights to
access your medical information.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule allows your health information to be disclosed to carry out treatment, payment, and other healthcare operations. We are
required to abide by the information outlined in this privacy notice. We reserve the right to update this policy as changes occur in the HIPAA
Privacy Rule. HIPAA grants you the right to access and control your health information.
USES AND DISCLOSURES
Treatment: Your health information will be disclosed to provide, coordinate, and manage your healthcare. All of the providers in our practice may
have access to your medical records. Additionally, our medical consultants and ultrasonographer review some records to assist us with your care.
Your health information may be disclosed to any other physician or healthcare provider that may become involved in your care.
Healthcare Operations: Your health information will be used to support the business activities of the practice. Examples include, but are not
limited to: quality assessment, employee reviews, nursing and midwifery student training, licensing, and other business activities. Health
information may be shared in our group prenatal sessions.
Payment: Your health information will be used to obtain payment for services provided by this practice. Disclosures may be given to health plans,
insurance providers, and collection agencies.
Business Associates: Your health information may be shared with third party business associates. Examples include billing and legal services. We
have established written contracts that contain the terms that will protect your health information with all third-party business associates. All
business associates must comply with HIPAA guidelines.
Disclosures Requires by Law and Workers Compensation: We are permitted to disclose your health information to comply with workers
compensation laws and legal proceedings. If required, you will be notified of disclosure. The protected health information of members of the
armed forces may be disclosed to authorized federal officials, under certain circumstances.
Abuse or Neglect: We may disclose your protected health information to the appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that you are a
possible victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Emergencies: If you are incapacitated, we may use our best judgement to disclose information that is only directly relevant to your care.
Research and Health Oversight: We are permitted to disclose your information to researchers with an institutional review board has reviewed a
research proposal and established protocols to ensure your health information will be kept confidential. We are permitted to disclose your health
information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. Examples include: audits, investigations, and inspections.
Written Authorization: Unless not required by law, your written authorization will be required for all disclosures of your protected health
information. You can revoke authorization at any time via written request. It is important to note that we are unable to undo any disclosures
previously made with your authorization.
Voicemail: Employees may only leave detailed voicemail messages if the greeting appropriately identifies the patient or anothe
r person who is
authorized to receive information regarding the patient. If there is not appropriate identification, only the minimum necessary information will be
left. This includes the caller’s name, practice name, and a contact number. Patients have the right to opt out of voicemail messages.
PATIENT RIGHTS
You have the right to inspect and copy your protected health information. You may obtain your medical record that contains medical and billing
information. As permitted by federal or state law, we may charge you a reasonable copy fee to provide a copy of your records. You may request
an amendment of your protected health information. We reserve the right to deny your request. If we deny your request for amendment, you
have the right to file a statement of disagreement. We may provide you with a copy of any rebuttal. Federal law prohibits you from inspecting or
copying psychotherapy notes and information compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or use of, civil or criminal proceedings, or administrative
actions or proceedings.
PRIVACY COMPLAINTS/ CLIENT GRIEVANCES
Should you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, and wish to file a complaint, you may contact us by calling our office at (912)629-
6262 and asking to speak with our privacy officer. The director or her designee will personally respond within 10 business days to any complaint
registered by a client about any aspect of Family Health and Birth Center. You may also contact our accrediting organization, The Commission for
the Accreditation of Birth Centers at 240 Independence Drive, Hamburg, PA 19526, phone number 1-877-241-0262. Unresolved complaints may
be directed to the Georgia Department of Community Health, Health Facilities Regulation Division, Attention: Complaints, 2 Peachtree Street NW,
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142, phone: 1-800-878-6442.