Notice of Privacy Practices Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 -HIPPA                  
The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your protected health information created and retained by Coastal Counseling Associates LLC.  We reserve the
right to amend this Notice of Privacy Practices, and those revisions or amendments will apply to past current and future records.   Effective Date:  April 23, 2003
We at Coastal Counseling are committed to protecting the privacy of the clients we serve.  We will protect the confidential medical information
we collect to the fullest extent of the law.  We have federal laws, state laws, and our own privacy policies and procedures in place to protect your
Private  Health Information(PHI).
Who is a covered entity by The HIPPA Privacy Rule?
Health  plans
Health care providers
Health care clearing houses- transmits health information in electronic form                             
What is the HIPPA Privacy Rule?                                                         
The rule ensures that medical information that is private (such as the medical information you share with your doctors or other providers such as hospitals) is protected
and confidential:                                                                 
1. Gives patients’ greater access to their medical records  
2. Gives patients greater protection of their medical records                                                                                    
3. HIPPA places restrictions on both use and disclosure of personal health information.                                            
What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?     
HIPPA is personal health information given to a covered entity; it includes; information about a person's physical/mental, services or payment for services rendered.
Examples of (PHI) could be billing information, Social Security number, or demographic information for an individual. This includes information sent in written,
electronic, or oral forms.
When is Coastal Counseling LLC permitted to disclose/use Protected Health Information (PHI)?      
Health care oversight and operations; we, at Coastal Counseling Associates, LLC are permitted to disclose/use (PHI) for treatment, health care operations billing.
Written authorization; Providers of health care can disclose (PHI) from the individual patient with agreement/authorization. Coastal Counseling Associates, LLC will
obtain a written authorization prior to making any disclosure or use other than for the above reasons.  A written authorization will inform you of the person to whom we
are disclosing or using the (PHI), what information is being disclosed or used, and it will contain an expiration date.  You may revoke a written authorization at any
time.  This must be done in writing, and Coastal Counseling Associates, LLC will no longer disclose or use this information after written authorization is withdrawn. We,
at Coastal Counseling Associates LLC, may be required to disclose or use (PHI) to family health care representatives such as parents of minor children, or to other
individuals that are legally authorized to handle your health care issues. In an emergency situation, Coastal Counseling Associates, LLC may disclose or use (PHI)
relevant to the emergency circumstances based upon professional judgments and assessment.
Are there special circumstances when disclosures/uses (PHI) can be released without permission?
1.Worker’s Compensation Laws and Claims-under limited circumstances relating to workplace injury or illness or medical surveillance
2.Report victim abuse, domestic violence; or to report neglect as authorized by law
3.Required by law
4.Required by law enforcement- in response to a subpoena, request from law enforcement in specific circumstances, court or other legal process, criminal conduct
5.Business associates such as billing services, legal, or accounting consultants, health oversight audits or inspections
6. National security, or other specialized government functions as required by law  
7.Preventing personal injury, disability, and/or damage to you or another individual or  property
8.Department of Public Health and Safety as authorized by law
9.The Dept of Veteran's Affairs- for those in the military services by appropriate authorities, as authorized by law.
10.Health oversight activities; This may include investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licenser, civil, administrative, and criminal actions as authorized by law
Your Rights                                                                                                                                              
A. Access records-You have the right to request to view/copy; your health care information. This request must be made in writing,  include specific dates and nature of
request.  An administrative charge will be incurred to cover postage and copying expenses.  There are certain circumstances that Coastal Counseling Associates LLC may
deny access to your health information. In the case that Coastal Counseling Associates LLC denies your access to health care information, we will discuss with you the
reasons and tell you how you can appeal the denial. You must request     
B. Amendment to your records-You have the right to request in writing, an amendment to your records at Coastal Counseling Associates, LLC if you believe that the
record is incomplete or incorrect. This request should include reasoning behind the changes, and counselors will discuss matters with you.  Only documents created by
Coastal Counseling Associates LLC can be amended, and this request may be denied under certain circumstances.        
C. Right to a paper copy of this notice- You may receive a paper copy of this notice at any time, contact;Privacy Officer Coastal Counseling Associates LLC at 203-245-1956.
D. Accounting of disclosures- You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures used for non-treatment or operations purposes For example: a person in the
billing department using your information to file a claim is not required to be documented because it is part of routine patients care. A request must be submitted in
writing, and must state a time period no longer than (6) years from date of disclosure.
E. File a complaint-You have the right to file a complaint with our practice if you believe that your privacy rights have been violated; Contact Judy Doyle 203-245-1956;
All complaints must be submitted in writing. You may also file a complaint with the Secretary Dept of Health and Human Services.
F. Request restrictions- You have the right to request restrictions on disclosure or use of your (PHI) to only certain individual's involved in your care, however, Coastal
Counseling Associates LLC is not required to agree with your request. If we do agree, we are still bound by applicable laws and emergency situations. A request must be
made in writing, and must include: information you wish to restrict, to whom you wish the limits to apply, and whether you limit disclosure or use or both.  If you have
any questions about this notice please contact    Privacy Officer 203-245-1956.
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Information contained on this website is educational/informational in nature, and does not take the place of a professional medical assessment.
 Consult with  medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment.  No patient/professional relationship is established  by viewing the website.     
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