Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how Georgia Prosthodontics Smile Specialists uses and protects any information that you give Georgia Prosthodontics Smile Specialists when you use this website.

Georgia Prosthodontics Smile Specialists is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information, to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information.

We must follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice while it is in effect. This Notice takes effect July 8, 2016 and will remain in effect until we replace it.

We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law.

You may request a copy of our Notice at any time. For more information about our privacy practices, or for additional copies of this Notice, please contact us.

How We May Use and Disclose Health Information About You

We may use and disclose your health information for different purposes, including treatment, payment, and health care operations.

Treatment

We may use and disclose your health information for your treatment. For example, we may disclose your health information to a specialist providing treatment to you.

Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to obtain reimbursement for the treatment and services you receive from us or another entity involved with your care. Payment activities include billing, collections, claims management, and determinations of eligibility and coverage.

Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operations, including quality assessment and improvement activities, training programs, and licensing activities.

Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care

We may disclose your health information to your family, friends, or any other individual identified by you when they are involved in your care or payment for your care.

Disaster Relief

We may use or disclose your health information to assist in disaster relief efforts.

Required by Law

We may use or disclose your health information when we are required to do so by law.

Public Health Activities

We may disclose your health information for public health activities, including disclosures to:

• Prevent or control disease, injury, or disability;
• Report child abuse or neglect;
• Report reactions to medications or problems with products or devices;
• Notify a person of a recall, repair, or replacement of products or devices;
• Notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or condition;
• Notify the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.

National Security

We may disclose health information to military authorities, authorized federal officials, correctional institutions, or law enforcement officials under certain circumstances permitted by law.

Secretary of HHS

We will disclose your health information to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when required to investigate or determine compliance with HIPAA.

Worker’s Compensation

We may disclose your PHI as authorized and necessary to comply with laws relating to worker’s compensation or similar programs.

Law Enforcement

We may disclose your PHI for law enforcement purposes as permitted by HIPAA, as required by law, or in response to a subpoena or court order.

Health Oversight Activities

We may disclose your PHI to an oversight agency for activities authorized by law, including audits, investigations, inspections, and credentialing.

Judicial and Administrative Proceedings

If you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, we may disclose your PHI in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process.

Research

We may disclose your PHI to researchers when their research has been approved by an institutional review board or privacy board.

Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors

We may release your PHI to a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director consistent with applicable law.

Fundraising

We may contact you with information about sponsored activities, including fundraising programs, as permitted by applicable law. You may opt out of receiving these communications.

Other Uses and Disclosures of PHI

Your authorization is required, with a few exceptions, for disclosure of psychotherapy notes, use or disclosure of PHI for marketing, and the sale of PHI.

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes other than those provided in this Notice, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.

Your Health Information Rights

Access

You have the right to look at or get copies of your health information, with limited exceptions. Requests must be made in writing.

Disclosure Accounting

You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Right to Request a Restriction

You have the right to request additional restrictions on our use or disclosure of your PHI by submitting a written request to the Privacy Official.

Alternative Communication

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.

Amendment

You have the right to request that we amend your health information. Your request must be in writing and explain why the information should be amended.

Right to Notification of a Breach

You will receive notifications of breaches of your unsecured protected health information as required by law.

Electronic Notice

You may receive a paper copy of this Notice upon request, even if you have agreed to receive this Notice electronically on our website or by email.

Questions and Complaints

If you want more information about our privacy practices or have questions or concerns, please contact us.

If you believe we may have violated your privacy rights, or if you disagree with a decision we made regarding your health information, you may complain to us using the contact information listed at the end of this Notice.

You may also submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will provide the address upon request.

We support your right to privacy. We will not retaliate in any way if you choose to file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. Once you leave our site, we do not have control over that other website and cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information you provide while visiting such sites.

You should exercise caution and review the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.