How we protect your health information.
This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how The Freedom Clinic Psychology, P.C. uses, shares, and safeguards your protected health information under HIPAA and California law — and the rights you have over your own information.
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Understanding this notice
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how The Freedom Clinic Psychology, P.C. may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment, and health care operations, and the rights you have under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations (45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164). It also follows the stricter protections of California law, including the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act and the psychotherapist–patient privilege. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
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How we may use and share your health information
Treatment. We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care. For example, your therapist may share information with another clinician in the practice who is consulting on your treatment, or with a physician or psychiatrist to coordinate medication. Payment. We may use and disclose your health information so that the services you receive are billed and paid. For example, we may share information with your health insurance plan to obtain authorization for sessions or to submit claims for reimbursement. Health care operations. We may use and disclose your health information for practice operations, such as quality improvement, clinical supervision of trainees and associates, licensing and accreditation, and business management. For example, your clinician may discuss your case (without identifying you by name) during confidential peer consultation or clinical supervision. Appointment reminders. We may contact you to remind you of an appointment by phone, secure message, or email, using the contact information you provide. Please tell us if you prefer a specific method or wish to limit how we contact you.
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Uses that require your written authorization
Most other uses and disclosures of your health information not described in this notice will be made only with your written authorization. These include most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, marketing communications, and any sale of your health information. If you give us written authorization to use or disclose your information, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted on it. We will never sell your health information or use it for marketing without your explicit, written permission.
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Uses and disclosures that do not require your authorization
Under certain circumstances, the law permits or requires us to use or disclose your health information without your authorization, including: As required by law, when disclosure is mandated by federal, state, or local law. Public health activities, such as reporting certain diseases or adverse events. Victims of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, when required or permitted by law, including reports to Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services. Health oversight activities, such as audits, investigations, and licensure by the California Board of Psychology. Judicial and administrative proceedings, when required by a court order or lawful subpoena — though California's psychotherapist–patient privilege is among the strongest in the nation and may protect your records unless that privilege is specifically waived or overcome. Law enforcement purposes, in limited circumstances such as identifying a suspect or locating a missing person. Decedents, to coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors. Organ donation, if you are an organ donor. Research, under strict privacy protections and oversight committee approval. To avert a serious threat to health or safety, if we believe there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or others. Specialized government functions, including military and veterans' activities and national security. Workers' compensation, for work-related injuries as authorized by law. If any use or disclosure not described in this notice is requested, we will obtain your written authorization first.
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Your rights regarding your health information
You have the following rights regarding the health information we maintain about you: Request restrictions. You may ask us to limit how we use or disclose your information for treatment, payment, or operations. We are not required to agree to most restrictions, but if we do, we will honor them except in emergencies. Confidential communications. You may ask us to contact you in a particular way or at a particular location — for example, only by mail or only at a work number — and we will accommodate reasonable requests. Inspect and copy. You may request to see and obtain a copy of your health information in writing. Under California law, psychotherapists may withhold access to psychotherapy notes when they judge that review would be detrimental to your care, but you are still entitled to a summary and to the factual information in your record. A reasonable fee may apply for copies. Amend. If you believe your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend it in writing, and we will respond within 60 days. Accounting of disclosures. You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information, other than for treatment, payment, operations, or as authorized by you. Paper copy of this notice. You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically. Breach notification. You will be notified in writing if a breach of your unsecured health information occurs, as required by law.
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Our responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information, to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to follow the terms of the notice currently in effect. We may change the terms of this notice at any time, and the new notice will apply to all health information we maintain. When we make a material change, we will post the revised notice on our website and provide you with a copy upon request. We will promptly notify you of any breach of your unsecured health information as required by law.
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Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us and with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR). You will not be penalized or retaliated against in any way for filing a complaint. To file with OCR, contact: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Room 509F, Washington, DC 20201; 1-800-368-1019 (voice), 1-800-537-7697 (TDD); hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints. To file with the clinic, contact the Privacy Officer using the contact information on this page.
Have a question about your privacy?
We're glad to walk through any of this with you — your trust matters to us.