HIPPA Policy

Introduction

At NW Pediatric Care, we understand the importance of privacy, especially concerning the sensitive health information of our young patients and their families. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes standards for protecting patient information. Our HIPAA Policy aims to ensure that all patient information we handle remains secure and private, demonstrating our dedication to providing not only excellent medical care but also a trusted environment for patient privacy.

Our Commitment to Privacy

We are committed to upholding strict standards in handling patient health information and ensuring compliance with HIPAA’s requirements. This commitment applies to everyone involved with NW Pediatric Care, from our healthcare providers to administrative staff. We strictly monitor how information is accessed, shared, and stored to prevent unauthorized disclosure. This policy provides clear guidelines to our staff on:

• Handling patient information only when necessary for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
• Disclosing information solely for purposes allowed under HIPAA or with explicit patient authorization.
• Reporting any potential breaches to safeguard patient rights and ensure swift corrective actions.

Information We Collect

As part of our services, NW Pediatric Care collects information necessary to provide high-quality, personalized care. Information collected may include:

1. Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Basic contact information such as name, date of birth, address, email, and phone number. This is used to identify patients and communicate with parents or guardians.
2. Health Information: Includes medical histories, diagnoses, lab results, treatments, and medications. This information is vital for delivering personalized care and ensuring continuity in the patient’s health management.
3. Insurance and Financial Information: We gather necessary insurance details for billing purposes and may collect payment information to process copayments or other financial transactions associated with our services.
4. Special Considerations for NW Pediatric Patients: As NW Pediatric Care serves children, we are particularly mindful of the sensitivity required in managing their health data, ensuring that privacy is prioritized at every level.

How We Use Your Information

Under HIPAA, NW Pediatric Care can use patient information for the following purposes without specific patient consent (though parents or guardians are informed of our practices):

1. Treatment: To provide effective healthcare, we may share information with other healthcare providers involved in your child’s treatment. For example, we might coordinate with specialists or share records with other clinics to facilitate care.
2. Payment: NW Pediatric Care uses patient information to process billing and insurance claims. This could include sharing necessary details with insurance providers to secure payment for services rendered.
3. Healthcare Operations: We may use health data for internal purposes, such as quality improvement, training, regulatory compliance, and patient satisfaction. Any use for operations is done under strict privacy controls to protect patient confidentiality.

Your Rights Under HIPAA

HIPAA grants patients and their legal guardians several rights regarding health information:

1. Access: You have the right to access your or your child’s health records, request copies, and ask us about how the information has been used or shared.
2. Amendment: If there is an error or incomplete information in the records, you have the right to request amendments, which we will review and act upon according to HIPAA guidelines.
3. Accounting of Disclosures: You may request an accounting of disclosures to understand who has accessed or received information from NW Pediatric Care beyond treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
4. Restrictions on Use or Disclosure: You can request restrictions on how NW Pediatric Care uses or discloses information. While we will accommodate reasonable requests, certain disclosures may be necessary to provide effective care.
5. Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you by alternative means or at specific locations if it enhances your privacy or comfort.
6. Right to Complain: If you feel your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with us or directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NW Pediatric Care takes these complaints seriously and will respond promptly.

Data Protection Measures

NW Pediatric Care employs several layers of security to protect patient health information:

1. Administrative Safeguards: These include policies and training to ensure our staff follows HIPAA guidelines. We provide regular training sessions on the importance of protecting patient data.
2. Physical Safeguards: These measures include secure office spaces and access controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive information.
3. Technical Safeguards: We utilize advanced security technologies, such as encrypted electronic health records and secure communication channels, to protect data when it is stored or transmitted. Password protection, firewalls, and data access limitations are implemented to ensure that only authorized personnel can access patient records.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding our HIPAA Policy, need further clarification, or want to exercise any of your rights under HIPAA, please contact NW Pediatric Care’s privacy officer at the contact information below. We welcome any feedback or questions and are dedicated to addressing privacy concerns promptly.

NW Pediatric Care Contact Information:

      Phone:  678-889-0487

      Email:  info@nwpediatriccare.com