Patient rights and Responsibilities

At Wellmed Health Center, we understand that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting medical information about you. We create a record of the care and services you receive directly from one of our physicians. We need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”) applies to all the records of your care generated by Practice. This Notice will tell you about the ways in which Practice may use and disclose your protected health information (“PHI”). This Notice also describes your rights and certain obligations Practice has regarding the use and disclosure of PHI.

 

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. Practice is required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI, to provide individuals with notice of Practice’s legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI, and to abide by the terms described in the Notice currently in effect.

 

RIGHTS. You have the following rights regarding your PHI:

• Restrictions. You may request that Practice restrict the use and disclosure of your PHI. To request restrictions, you must make your request in writing to our Privacy Officer using the applicable Practice form. In your request, you must tell us (1) what information you want to limit; (2) whether you want to limit our use, disclosure or both; and (3) to whom you want the restrictions to apply, for example, disclosures to your spouse.

• Alternative Communications. You have the right to request that communications of PHI to you from Practice be made by particular means or at particular locations. For instance, you might request that communications be made at your work address, instead of your home address. Your requests must be made in writing using Practice’s form and sent to the Privacy Officer. Practice will accommodate your reasonable requests.

• Inspect and Copy. Generally, you have the right to inspect and copy your PHI that Practice maintains, provided you make your request in writing to Practice’s Privacy Officer. If you request copies of your PHI, we may impose a reasonable fee to cover copying and postage. If we deny access to your PHI, we will explain the basis for denial and your opportunity to have your request and the denial reviewed by a licensed health care professional (who was not involved in the initial denial decision) designated as a reviewing official. If Practice does not maintain the PHI you request and if we know where that PHI is located, we will tell you how to redirect your request.

• Amendment. If you believe that your PHI maintained by Practice is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to correct your PHI. Your request must be made in writing, and it must explain why you are requesting an amendment to your PHI. We can deny your request if your request relates to PHI: (i) not created by Practice; (ii) not part of the records Practice maintains; (iii) not subject to being inspected by you; or (iv) that is accurate and complete. If your request is denied, we will provide you a written denial that explains the reason for the denial and your rights to: (i) file a statement disagreeing with the denial; (ii) if you do not file a statement of disagreement, submit a request that any future disclosures of the relevant PHI be made with a copy of your request and Practice’s denial attached; and (iii) complain about the denial.

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CONDUCT AND RESPONISIBILTIES.

• Seek medical attention promptly.

• Conduct all your interactions with clinic staff members, other patients, in a respectful and polite manner. Verbal or physical intimidation, violence, or the threat of violence towards anyone will not be tolerated and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

• Be honest  and provide as complete a medical history as you can, which includes details and information about past illnesses, medications, hospitalizations, and other matters related to current health.

• Ask about anything you do not understand.

• Respect clinic personnel, and policies.

• Follow health advice and medical instructions and participate in your care.

• Report any significant changes in symptoms or failure to improve.

• Seek non-emergency care during regular hours and scheduled times.

• Keep appointments or cancel/reschedule in advance.

• Inform your provider of the existence of a living will, medical power of attorney or other directives that could affect your care.

• Accept financial responsibility for any charges to which you have agreed with your provider.

• Provide useful feedback about services and policies.