**Privacy Policy for Ease Of Mind Hospice Care Inc.**
**Effective Date: July 28, 2024**
**Introduction**
At Ease Of Mind Hospice Care Inc. ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), safeguarding your health information is of paramount importance. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. Please review this policy carefully to understand our practices.
**1. Notice of Privacy Practices**
This notice applies to all Protected Health Information (PHI) maintained by Ease Of Mind Hospice Care Inc. We are obligated under HIPAA to:
- Inform you about our uses and disclosures of PHI.
- Explain your rights regarding your PHI.
- Outline your right to file complaints with us and with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Provide contact information for further inquiries about our privacy practices.
**2. Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information**
**2.1 Authorization Required**
- **Psychotherapy Notes:** We need your written authorization to use or disclose psychotherapy notes, which are separate from other medical records and include detailed notes from your mental health sessions. These notes may be used for defense in litigation initiated by you.
- **Marketing and Sales:** Any use or disclosure of PHI for marketing purposes or the sale of PHI requires your specific authorization unless otherwise permitted by law.
**2.2 Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations**
We may use and disclose your PHI without your consent, authorization, or opportunity to object for the following purposes:
- **Treatment:** Coordination and management of your health care services, such as sharing information with your primary care provider.
- **Payment:** Processing charges, insurance claims, and other billing activities.
- **Health Care Operations:** Quality assessment, peer reviews, and administrative activities.
**2.3 Fundraising and Memorial Services**
- **Fundraising Activities:** We may use your contact information to send newsletters and solicit donations. You can opt-out by contacting our Development Department at 818-332-3388.
- **Annual Memorial Service:** If you do not wish to have the name of a deceased loved one included in our memorial service, please notify the Bereavement Coordinator at 818-332-3388.
- **Appointment Reminders:** We may use your PHI to remind you of upcoming appointments.
**2.4 Disclosures Requiring Opportunity to Agree or Disagree**
We may disclose PHI to family members or friends if:
- The information is relevant to their involvement in your care or payment.
- You have agreed to the disclosure or had an opportunity to object and did not.
**2.5 Other Disclosures Not Requiring Consent**
We may disclose your PHI without your consent or authorization in the following situations:
- **Legal Requirements:** As required by law.
- **Public Health:** Reporting communicable diseases or conditions.
- **Abuse and Neglect:** Reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
- **Judicial and Law Enforcement:** For legal proceedings or law enforcement purposes.
- **Coroners and Funeral Directors:** For identifying deceased individuals or determining cause of death.
- **Research:** Subject to specific conditions.
- **Organ Donation:** Facilitating organ, eye, or tissue donation.
- **Imminent Threats:** Preventing or mitigating serious threats to health or safety.
- **Workers’ Compensation:** Compliance with workers' compensation laws.
**3. Mobile Information Policy**
- No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. This includes text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; such information will not be shared with any third parties.
**4. Your Rights**
**4.1 Requesting Restrictions and Confidential Communications**
- You may request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your PHI or request confidential communications. We will accommodate reasonable requests unless otherwise required by law.
**4.2 Right to Inspect and Copy**
- You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI in a Designated Record Set. We will respond to requests within the required timeframes, providing access free of charge at your next home visit or within 4 business days. Other requests will be processed within 30 days.
**4.3 Right to Amend**
- You may request an amendment to your PHI in a Designated Record Set. We will act on your request within 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension. If denied, you may submit a statement of disagreement.
**4.4 Right to Accounting of Disclosures**
- You can request an accounting of PHI disclosures made during the past six years, excluding certain disclosures. Requests beyond one accounting per 12-month period may incur a cost.
**4.5 Right to Notification of Breach**
- You have the right to be notified of any breach of your unsecured PHI.
**4.6 Right to Paper Copy**
- If you received this notice electronically, you may request a paper copy at no cost.
**5. Personal Representatives**
A personal representative may exercise your rights on your behalf. We may require evidence of their authority and reserve the right to deny access if it may harm vulnerable individuals.
**6. Our Duties**
We are committed to maintaining the privacy of your PHI and will comply with this Privacy Policy. Any changes to this policy will be communicated through mail or our website, with a revised notice distributed within 60 days of any material changes.
**7. Minimum Necessary Standard**
We will limit the use, disclosure, or request of PHI to the minimum necessary to achieve the intended purpose, except in specific situations outlined by HIPAA.
**8. Complaints**
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
- **Ease Of Mind Hospice Care Inc.:** Director of Quality, 19634 Ventura Blvd, Ste. 220, Tarzana, CA 91356, or call 818-332-3388.
- **U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:** Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
**9. Additional Information**
For questions about this notice, please contact:
- **Director of Quality, Ease Of Mind Hospice Care Inc.:** 19634 Ventura Blvd, Ste. 220, Tarzana, CA 91356.
For more information about HIPAA, visit [HHS HIPAA Information]( http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/ ).