FAQ's on Cataracts and Management

Davidson Eye Associates, P.A.

Notice of Privacy Practices

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PATIENTS MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, AND HOW A PATIENT CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. A COPY OF THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY IS AVAILABLE TO OUR PATIENTS AT OUR OFFICE.

If you have any questions about this Notice of Privacy please contact the privacy officer or office manager at Davidson Eye Associates. Please click here for practice location, telephone number, and other details.

This Privacy Policy describes how we may use and disclose patient protected health information to carry out treatment, payment, or healthcare operations for our business. This policy also describes patient rights regarding his/her protected health information.

"Protected health information" is defined as, any information that relates to the past, present or future physical or mental condition of an individual; the provision of healthcare to the individual; or the past present or future payment for the provision of healthcare to an individual.

I. Uses and Disclosures

Patient confidential healthcare information may be used or disclosed to assist us with the following:

· Treatment - Information will be shared with healthcare professionals, within our office, to provide patients with quality healthcare. Information may be shared with healthcare providers outside our office (specialists, laboratories, radiologists) when another provider is needed to assist your physician with diagnosis or treatment of a condition.

· Payment - Information will be released to your insurance company to assist in the payment for services provided. Information may also be shared to verify eligibility, obtain authorizations, or prove medical necessity for services provided.

· Healthcare Operations - Information may be shared with contracted business associates that provide additional support to our office. Examples of some business associates may include auditors, consultants, accountants or accreditation services.

Please note that confidential healthcare information may be used or disclosed for other reasons without a patient authorization under the following conditions:

· Required Uses and Disclosures: Patient protected health information must be disclosed as required by law, when requested by that patient, and when required by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate our compliance with the privacy requirements.

· Public Health Activities: As permitted by law, for the purpose of controlling disease, injury or disability.

· Communicable Disease: As authorized by law, to notify another person that may have been exposed to or at risk of spreading a communicable disease.

· Health Oversight: As authorized by law, for the purpose of audits, investigations and inspections.

· Abuse or Neglect: As authorized by law, to a health authority that deals with child abuse or neglect.

· Food and Drug Administration: As required, to report adverse events, product defects or problems and to enable product recalls.

· Legal Proceedings: In response to a subpoena or court order.

· Law Enforcement: Legal processes required by law.

· Coroners, Funeral Directors and Organ Donations: As requested, for identification purposes, to assist in determining cause of death, or other duties required by law or authorized by law.

· Research: When approved by an institutional review board.

· Criminal Activity: Following state and federal laws, to prevent or lessen a serious threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.

· Military Activity/National Security: Under certain situations, if you are armed forces personnel. Examples: To determine eligibility for benefits and to conduct national security and intelligence activities.

· Workers Compensation: As authorized, to comply with workers' compensation laws.

· Inmates: As necessary, if you are an inmate of a correctional facility.

· Emergency Situations: As needed, when authorization cannot be provided.

· Family Members/Others: When family member or others have been identified by a patient as involved in their care. A patient has the right to object to this type of disclosure.

· Other reasons: Communications involving face-to-face discussions of treatment alternatives, appointment reminder cards, fundraising for our office.

Patient confidential healthcare information may be used or disclosed for other reasons, only after we receive written authorization from that patient. A patient may revoke his/her authorization at any time by submitting a written request to our office. Any services provided before this request will still be based on the prior authorization. We will continue to use/disclose information to receive payment and perform healthcare operations for these services.

II. Patient Rights

The following is a list of patient's rights with respect to his/her protected health information:

· A patient has the right to inspect and copy his/her protected health information.

· A patient has the right to request a restriction of his/her protected health information.

· A patient has the right to receive confidential communications from us by alternative means or at alternative locations.

· A patient has the right to request amendments to his/her protected health information.

· A patient has the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of his/her protected health information. (Note: Cost-based fees may be added to accounting requests that occur more than once per 12-month period.)

·A patient has the right to obtain a paper copy of this Privacy Notice. This is available from our receptionist, or a copy may be obtained by printing this page.

III. Complaints

If a patient believes that we have violated his/her privacy rights, they may note their complaint to our office directly, or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Our office may be notified, in writing, by contacting our Privacy Officer at:

Davidson Eye Associates, P.A.
Attn: Privacy Officer
Two Hospital Drive
Lexington, NC 27292
(336) 243-2436
(800) 216-2436

We will not retaliate against any patient for filing a complaint. It is our desire to maintain a confidential environment, and notification of any potential violations will assist us in achieving maximum privacy standards. After such a written complaint is received, we will respond, in writing, regarding our decision and/or actions taken regarding that complaint.

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information. Our office will abide by the terms of this notice and continue to maintain the confidentiality of our patient's healthcare information. We reserve the right to make changes to this notice. Patients will be informed of any substantial changes to the notice and any patient may request a copy of the updated notice at any time.

This notice was published and becomes effective on April 14, 2003.