Privacy Practices

Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA Privacy Rule)

The office of Alison Kaplanes, MS, RD, LDN, CDE (“Office”) is required by applicable federal and state law to maintain the privacy of your health information. “Office” reserves the right to change the notice. Before significantly changing the practice, the notice may be made available to you. You may request a copy of the notice at any time. For more information about “Office’s” privacy practices or for additional copies of this notice, please contact “Office” (above).

Treatment: “Office” may use or disclose your health information to a physician or other healthcare provider providing treatment to you.

Payment for Services: “Office” may use or disclose your health information to obtain payment for services “Office” provides to you.

Healthcare Operations: “Office” may use or disclose your health information in connection with healthcare operations. Healthcare operations include quality assessment and improvement activities, case management, review of the competence or qualification of healthcare professionals, evaluation of practitioner and provider performance, conduct training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing and other activities.

Required By Law: “Office” will disclose your health information about you when required to do so by federal, state or local law.

Abuse or Neglect: “Office” may disclose your health information to appropriate authorities if “Office” reasonably believes you are a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence, or the possible victim of other crimes. “Office” may disclose this type of information to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.

Business Associate: “Office” may disclose information to business associates who perform services on “Office’s” behalf (such as billing companies) however, “Office” requires them to appropriately safeguard your information.

Appointment Reminders: “Office” may use or disclose your health information to contact you as a reminder (such as voicemail messages, email, postcards, or letters) that you have an appointment for treatment or medical care with Alison Kaplanes, RD.

Access: You have the right to inspect and copy your health information, with limited exceptions. Submit your request in writing to Alison Kaplanes, RD. A fee will be charged for the costs associated with your request. There are certain situations in which “Office” is not required to comply with your request. In these circumstances, “Office” will respond to you in writing, stating why “Office” will not grant your request and describe any rights you may have to request a review of this denial.

Disclosures Accounting: You have the right to receive a list of occasions in which this “Office” disclosed your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

Amendment: You have the right to request that “Office” amend your health information. (Your request must be in writing and it must explain why the information should be amended.) “Office” may deny your request under certain circumstances.

Restrictions: You have the right to request that “Office” place additional restrictions on use of your health information. “Office” is not required to agree to additional restrictions, but if “Office” does so, “Office” will abide by the agreement (except in an emergency).

Alternative Communications: You have the right to request that “Office” communicates with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that “Office” only contact you at work or by mail. To request alternative communications, you must make your request in writing. “Office” will accommodate all reasonable requests.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: You have the right to a paper copy of this Notice at any time by contacting Alison Kaplanes.

If you want more information about privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please contact “Office” above.
If you are concerned that “Office” may have violated your privacy rights or you disagree with a decision “Office” made about access to your health information or in response to a request you made to amend or restrict the use of disclosure of your health information or to have “Office” communicate with you by alternative means or at alternative locations, you may record your complaint to “Office” by using the contact information at the beginning of this Notice. You also may submit a written complaint to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. “Office” supports your right to the privacy of your health information. If you file a complaint, “Office” will not take any retaliatory action against you or change the treatment of you in any way.