Notice of Privacy Practices

The following sections describe common circumstances in which Believe Detox Center LLC may use or disclose your PHI. Additional restrictions may apply to substance use disorder records protected by 42 CFR Part 2.

A. Treatment

We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your treatment and related services.

For example, we may share relevant information with authorized physicians, nurses, therapists, counselors, psychologists, pharmacists, laboratories, hospitals, treatment providers, or other health care professionals involved in your care when permitted by law.

When your records are protected by 42 CFR Part 2, we will obtain consent when required before sharing them for treatment purposes.

B. Payment

We may use or disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for services provided to you.

For example, we may disclose appropriate information to:

• Your health plan or insurance company
• A third-party payer
• A billing company
• A government health benefit program
• Another person responsible for payment

These activities may include eligibility verification, utilization review, prior authorization, claims submission, collection activities, and medical-necessity review.

When Part 2 applies, payment-related disclosures will be made only as permitted by federal law, including pursuant to an appropriate consent when required.

C. Health Care Operations

We may use or disclose your PHI for activities necessary to operate Believe Detox Center LLC and maintain the quality of our services.

Health care operations may include:

• Quality assessment and improvement
• Staff training and supervision
• Credentialing and professional review
• Licensing, certification, and accreditation activities
• Compliance and auditing
• Legal and risk-management services
• Business planning and administration
• Reviewing the qualifications and performance of health care professionals
• Evaluating the effectiveness of our programs and services

When Part 2 applies, we will use or disclose protected records for health care operations only as permitted by federal law.

D. Business Associates and Qualified Service Organizations

We may engage outside individuals or organizations to perform services on our behalf, such as billing, legal, accounting, information technology, records management, quality improvement, or administrative support.

These individuals and organizations may receive PHI only as permitted by law and must appropriately safeguard the information through required agreements.

For services involving records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, we will enter into any additional agreement required by federal law.

E. Appointment Reminders and Communications About Your Care

We may use your contact information to:

• Remind you of appointments
• Discuss scheduling or care coordination
• Provide treatment-related instructions
• Inform you about services, providers, or treatment alternatives that may be relevant to your care
• Contact you regarding follow-up care

You may request that we contact you through a particular method or at an alternative address.

F. Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care

Subject to applicable law and your preferences, we may share limited information with a family member, friend, personal representative, or other person you identify as involved in your care or payment for your care.

When you are available, we may ask for your permission or give you an opportunity to object.

If you are unavailable, incapacitated, or experiencing an emergency, we may disclose limited information when permitted by law and when we determine that the disclosure is in your best interest.

Part 2 records will not be disclosed to family members, friends, or other individuals unless the disclosure is permitted by 42 CFR Part 2.

G. Personal Representatives

We may disclose PHI to an individual legally authorized to act on your behalf, subject to applicable law and appropriate verification of the individual’s authority and identity.

H. Emergencies

We may disclose information when necessary to address a bona fide medical emergency, consistent with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other applicable laws.

I. Serious and Imminent Threats

We may use or disclose PHI when we believe in good faith that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public and the disclosure is made to someone reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat.

Additional restrictions may apply to records protected by 42 CFR Part 2.

J. Public Health Activities

When permitted or required by law, we may disclose PHI for authorized public health activities, such as:

• Reporting certain diseases, injuries, or conditions
• Preventing or controlling disease
• Reporting adverse events or product defects
• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• Complying with legally authorized public health investigations

Part 2 records will be disclosed for public health purposes only when permitted by federal law.

K. Reporting Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence

We may disclose information to an authorized government agency when we reasonably believe an individual is a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence and the disclosure is permitted or required by law.

We will comply with the additional requirements applicable to substance use disorder records.

L. Health Oversight Activities

We may disclose PHI to authorized health oversight agencies for activities such as:

• Audits
• Investigations
• Inspections
• Licensing and certification reviews
• Accreditation
• Disciplinary proceedings
• Compliance reviews
• Government benefit program oversight

Part 2 records will be disclosed for oversight activities only as permitted by applicable federal law.

M. Judicial and Administrative Proceedings

We may disclose PHI in response to a valid court order, subpoena, discovery request, administrative order, or other lawful process when the requirements of HIPAA and applicable state law have been satisfied.

Substance use disorder records protected by 42 CFR Part 2 generally may not be used or disclosed in a legal proceeding against you unless you provide specific written consent or a court order and subpoena or similar legal mandate satisfies the requirements of Part 2.

N. Law Enforcement

We may disclose PHI to law enforcement officials in limited circumstances permitted or required by law.

The disclosure of Part 2 records to law enforcement is subject to heightened restrictions and will occur only when specifically permitted by federal law.

O. Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors

We may disclose PHI to coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors as authorized by law and as necessary for them to perform their duties.

Additional restrictions may apply to Part 2 records.

P. Workers’ Compensation

We may disclose PHI as authorized by and necessary to comply with workers’ compensation laws or similar programs.

Part 2 records will be disclosed only when permitted by federal law.

Q. Research

We may use or disclose PHI for approved research when the research satisfies applicable privacy, confidentiality, informed-consent, and institutional-review requirements.

Part 2 records will be used or disclosed for research only when the requirements of 42 CFR Part 2 are met.

R. Required by Law

We may use or disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.

When multiple laws apply, we will follow the law providing the greater privacy protection when legally required.